PR6015 
'/I47C3 

mi 

The Caeailia eaqagement. 



s^emeat. 



^ 



French's International Copyrighted (in Engfland, her 

Colonies, and the United States) Edition of 

the Works of the Best Authors. 

No. U6 t 



THE 
CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT 

a ComeD^ in font Hcts 

* BY 

I ST. JOHN HANKIN 

2? AUTHOR OP "the TWO MR. WETHERBYS," " THE RETURN OP THE 

U PRODIGAL," "the CHARITY THAT BEGAN AT HOME." 

Copyright, 1907, by Samuel French 



CAUTION :— Professionals and Amateurs are hereby notified 

that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of 

the United States Government, and nobody .is allowed to 

do this play without first having obtained written 

permission of Samuel French, 34 West 22d St., 

New York City, U. S. A. 



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VOL. I. 
I loo 
f rado 
I Tht L*dy ol Ljoni 

( Tht n \h 

t Till llontymoon 

1 1 h« Scboul for So«iid«l 

t Monty 

VOL. II. 

• Th« Straugar 

10 (iranjfathar WblUhMd 

11 Richard 111 

li Luva'a Sicrlflct 

18 1 he Ukmaiter 

U A Cure for the HMrtMhx 

16 The Hunchback 

1< Don Ccur de Buu 

VOL. ML 
11 Tbe Poor GantUtoan 
18 Hamlet 
la Cbarlei 11 
JO Venice Preterved 
tl Pitarro 
9i The Love Chaae 
S3 Othello 
M Und ma Five Bhilllogt 

VOL. IV. 
K Vlrglnlut 

SI Kins of the Common! 
S' London Auiiranea 
S8 The Rent Day 
n TwoKeiitlanien ofVarona 
JOTTie Jealoue Wife 
SI Tbe Rirali 
8S .'erfectlon 

VOL. V. [Debti 
M A New Way t<> Pay Old 
84 L.vk before You Leap 
"6 King John 
oo' ■ >rvou« .Man 

87 I ....n -id PTt^'^a 

88 Clandettloe Marriage 

89 William Te.l 

40 Day after the Weddlnf 

VOL. VL 

41 Speed the Plough 
4'i R.)iiieo and Juliet 

43 Feudal Tlmei 

44 Charlei the Twelfth 
46 The Bride 

44 Tbe Folileiof a Nl^ht 
4: Iron Cheet [Fair Ladv 
it KaJut Heart Never Wuii 

VOL. VII. 
4t rinad to Rulo 
M Macbeth 
«I leiiiper 
li F.vadne 
M Bertram 

• ~he Duenna 

ich Ado About NothlDf; 
Orlllc 

VOL. vin. 

usUte 
Night 



"enic* 
'ing Hearti 
[riage 
ter Mar- 



Jonntry 



L. X. 

1 

•i Single 



VOL. XI. 
81 Jullue C«->ar 
8S Vicar of Wakefield 
m Leap Year 
84 The Catiuaw 
M5 The Paeilug Cloud 
88 Drunkard 

87 Rob Roy 

88 George Harnwell 

VOL. XIL 

89 IngoDiar 
SOSkelchei In India 
91 Two Friendi 

9; Jane Shore 

S3 Corilcan Brolhere 

94 Mind your own Bufllnees 

95 Writing on the Wall 
94 Heir at Law 

VOL. XIII. 

97 Snldier'e Daughter 

9** DougJAt 

99 Marco Spada 
too Nature'i Nobleman 
101 Sardanapalue 
lOti CiTiliiation 

103 The Robbere 

104 Katharine and Petruchln 

VOL. XIV. 

105 Game of Love 

108 Midiumnier Nlght'e 
1(11 Erntitine I Dream 

108 Rag Picker of Pari« 

109 Flying Dutchman 
no Hypocrite 

HI Thareia 

lis La Tour de Neala 

VOL. XV. 
in Ireland Ai It Ii 
114 Sea of Ice 
1 16 Seven Gierke 

116 Game of Life 

117 Forty Th levee 

1 18 Bryan Boroihine 

119 Romance and Reality 
laO L'golino 

VOL. XVI. 
121 TbeTempeet 
125 The Pilot 
lil Carpenter of Rouen 
I 4King'iRival 
19fi Little Treaiure 
196 Dombey and Son 
12' Parenleand Guardlani 
118 Jewell 

VOL. XVII. 
I59Camllle 
I.IO Married Life 
131 Wenlock of Wenlock 
1.*5 Rose 0/ Etlrickvale 

133 David Copperfield 

134 Aline, or the Roee of 
35 Pauline [Klllarney 

136 Jane Eyre 
VOL. XVli. 

137 Night and .Morning 
1.38 .«lhiop 

139 Three (5uardit - 

140 Tom Cringle 

141 Henrlette, tlie r ..r«aVen 

142 Euitarhe Baud, 

143 Ernest Malrravert 

144 Bold Dragoons 
VOL. XIX. 

146 Dred, or the Dismal ^ 
[Swamp 

146 Last Pavs of Pompeii 

147 Esmeralda 

148 Peter Wilklns 

149 Ben the Bontswalo 

150 Jonathan Bradford 

151 Retribution 

162 Minerali 

VOL. XX. 

163 French Spy 

154 Wept of Wish-ton WI»h 
1.S6 Evil Genius 

166 Ben Holt 

167 Sailor of France 

158 Red Mask 

159 Life of an Actress 
IcO Wedding Day 



vol 
141 All's I'ai 
\(,-l llofar 
163 Self 
l«4 Cind 



naker • 



[Moscow 



ll>5 Phanloi 
168 Frankli 
1S7 The Gil 
168 The I^ 

VOL. XXII. 
IfiS Son of Ihe Night 
1:0 Korv O'More 
Men Kavle 

172 Rienii 

173 Broken Sw.ird 

174 Rip Van Wii.kla 

175 Isabella 

176 Heart of Mid Lothian 
VOL. XXIII. 

177 ActresB of Padua 

178 Kloitinr Beacon 

179 Bride ofLaHiniermoor 
Ca-.aracI of the Ganges 

IKl Robber of tlie Rhine 
182 School ol Reform 
IS'i Wandering Boys 

184 Maieppa 
VOL. XXIV. 

185 Young New York 
lH6The Victims 

187 Romani:* after Marriage 

188 B'ignnd 

189 Pour of New York 

190 Ambrose (iwinett 

191 RavmomI and Agnet 

192 Gaiiibler's I'ale 
VOL. XXV. 

193 Father anil S n 
l'.<4 Mnssaniello 

195 Sixteen Siring Jack 
1911 Vouthlul Queen 

197 Skeleton Witness 

198 Innkeeper of AhbeTille 

199 Miller and his Men 
2U(l Aladdin 

VOL. xxvr. 

201 Adrlenne the Actrcu 

202 t'ndine 

203 Jesse Brown 

204 Asfiiodeus 
20.1 Mormons 

206 Blanche of Brandywina 
2(17 Viola 

208 Deseret Deserted 
\OL. XXVll. 
■209 Americans in Parle 

210 Viclorine 

211 Wisard of the Wava 

212 Castle Spectre 

213 Horse-shoe Robinson 

214 Arniaud, Mrs. Mowatt 
Fashion, Mrs. Mow.ilt 

216 Glance at New York 
VOL. XXVIll. 

217 Inconstant 

218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 

219 Guide to the Stage 

220 Veteran 

221 Miller of New Jersey 
22s Dark Hour before Dawn 

223 Midaum'rNight'iDream 

[Laura Keene'a Edition 

224 At and Artifice 

' . : VOL. XXIX. 
S!!» IS.or Young Man 
22t<li8awattomie Brovm 
(ttl Pope of Route 
228 Oliver Twist 
2'»» Pauvrette 

230 Man in the Iron Mask 

231 Knight of Arva 

232 Moll Pitcher 

VOL. XXX. 

233 Black Eyed Sutan 
2.34 Satan In Paris 

235 Rosin a Meadows [ess 
2:« West End, or Irish Heir- 

237 Six Degrees of Crime 

238 The Lady and the Devil 
2.39 Avenger, or Moor of Sici 



VOL. XXXI. 
241 Merry Wives of Windsor 
»42 Mary's Birthday 

243 Shandy Maguira 

244 Wild Oats 
24.i .Michael Erie 

46 Idiot WItuett 
•247 Willow tops* 

248 PcMjile's Lawyer 
VOL, XXXII. 

249 The Boy Martyn 
260 l.ucretia Borgia 
251 Surgeon of Parie 

I'alrlcian's r>augliter 

253 Shoemaker ofToulousa 

254 .Momentous Question 

255 Love and Loyalty 

256 Robber's Wife 
VOL. XXXIH. 

257 Dumb Girl of Genoa 
2 8 Wreck Ashore 

59 Clnrl 

260 Rural Felicity 
!f,\ Wallace 
.'62 Madelaine 
2B3 The Fireman 

264 Grist to Ihe Mill 
VOL. XXXIV. 

265 Two Loves and a Ltf* 

266 Annie Blake 
'67 Steward 

268 Captain Kyd 

269 Nirk of (he Woodl 
70 Marble Heart 

271 Second l.ova 

272 Dream at Sea 

VOL. XXXV. 

273 Breach of Promiaa 

274 Review 

75 Lady cf the Ijika 

276 Still' Wau-r Rune Deep 

277 Tbe Scholar 

278 Helping Hands 

279 Faust and Marguerite 
•ill) Last Mnn 

VOL. XXX 

281 BeUe'i Stratogem 

282 Old and Young 

283 Raff^ella 

284 Ruth OakleT 

285 British ^'.|r r* 

286 A Life's Hansom 
281 Giralda 



•28.^ Til 



> All 



VOL. XXXVIL 

289 Klla Rosenhurg 
29(1 Warlock of the Glea 

91 Zelina 

92 Beatrice 

293 Neighbor Jackwood 

294 Wonder 

295 Robert Emmet 

296 Green Bushes 
VOL. XXXVIIL 

291 Flowers of the Foreai 

298 A Bachelor of ArU 

299 The Midnight Banquet 

300 Husband of m Hour 
3(11 Love's I.alxjr Lost 

302 Naiad Queen 

303 Caprice 

304 Cradle of Liberty 

VOL. XXXIX. 
.305 The Lost Ship 
306 Country Squire 
3>i7 Fraud and us Vlctlou 

308 Putnam 

309 King and Deserter 
31(1 La Kiammina 

311 A Hard Struggle 

312 Gwiunette Vaughan 

VOL. XL. 

313 The Love Knot [Judge 

314 Lavater. or Not a Bad 

315 The Noble Heart 

316 Coriolanus 

317 Tbe Winter's Tale 

318 Eveleen Wilson 

319 iTanbo 



240 Masks and Faces [ly |320 Jonathan In England 



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'i 



THE 

CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT 

H Comers in jfour Hcts 



BY 



ST. JOHN HANKIN 

AUTHOR OF "THE TWO MR. WETHERBYS," "THE RETURN OF 
THE PRODIGAL," "THE CHARITY THAT BEGAN AT HOME." 



Copyright, 1907, by Samuel French 



Caution: — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby no'ified that this play is 
fully copyrighted under the existing laws of the United States Government, 
and nobody is allowed to do this play without first having obtained 
written permission of Samuel French, 24 West aad St., New York City, 
U.S.A. 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

24 WEST 22D STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street, 

STRAND 



IOHKARY i)f CONGRESS j 
iwu Oooles ft««!vcd 
OCT 24 »30f 
Copyniiii Ortiy 

OLKsiS XXc.,No. 
COPY 3. 






THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 



Cast of the Original production before the Stage Society 
at the Imperial Theatre, London on Feb. 10, 1907. 

Producer, — Miss Madge Mcintosh. 

persons of tbe Come&i?. 



Mrs. Cassilis ■ Miss Evelyn "Weeden. 

The Countess op Remenham. Miss Florence Hay don. 
Lady Marchmont, Mrs. Cas- 

silis's sister Miss Gertrude Burnett. 

Mrs. Herries Miss K. M, Ronisey. 

Mrs. Borridge Miss Clare Greet. 

Lady Mabel Venning, Lady 

Remenliani's daughter Miss Isahel Roland. 

Ethel Borridge Miss Maudi Darrell. 

The Rector ... Mr. F. Morland. 

MA.JOR Warrington Mr. Sam Sothern. 

Geoffrey Cassilis Mr. Langhorne Burton. 

Watson, Butler at Deynham. Mr. Ralf Hutton. 

Dorset, Mrs. Cassilis's maid.. Miss Margai-et Mackenzie. 
Two Footmen. 

The Scene takes place at Deynliam Abbey in Leicester- 
shire. 

Act I. The Drawing-room. 

Act II. The Lawn. 

Act III. The Smoking-room off the Billiard-room. 

Act IV. The Morning-room. 

One niglit elapses between Acts I., and II. 
One week between Acts II., and III. 
One night between Acts III., and IV, 

Note. — The Leicestershire Cassilises pronounce their 
name as it is spelt. 

3 



PROPERTIES 

properties. 

Act. 1. 



Tea-cloth. 
Tea-things for six. 
Bread ami butter. 
Cake. 
Cake-stand. 



Act n. 



Rose to he picked. 

Red cushion (for Mrs. Borridge). 

Act III. 

Whiskey. 
Siphon. 

Half-dozen tumblers. 
Cigar-box. 
Matches. 

Paper-knife (breakable). ^ 

Pen, ink, blotter, note-paper, envelopes and thm tmtea 
paper. 

Pack of cards. 
Volume of Schubert's songs. 
Other books of music. 
Illustrated paper. 

Act IV. 

Cigarette case and match-box (Geoflfrey). 
Book (brought by Lady R.). 
Cushion for ]Mrs. Borridge. 
Morning paper. 




<1 
O 

o 



^ 



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^f.id 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 



ACT I. 



Scene. — The tvhitc drawing room at DeynJiam 
Abbey. A very handsome room furnished Louis 
/Sfe/.ce. A tea tabic is spread up stage. When 
curtain rises the Rector and Mrs. Herries are 
discovered. The former stands on hearth rug 
tcith back to fireless hearth. The latter sits 
comfortably in armchair. They arc evidently 
people in easy circumstances and of good social 
standing. There are big double doors c. Three 
Louis Seize armchairs'; easily moved, by fire- 
place. Two or three small chairs np l. c. not 
far from tea table. Large icindoic l., rocker 
down stage. Sofa in front of it, set rocker 
diagonally with its back to the stage. Small 
settee or chair by end of it nearest footlights. 
Handsome Louis Seize tables, chests of drawers 
or cabinets on either side of door c. 

Mrs. Herries. {at ivindow, then crosses r. c.) 
I wonder what can be keeping Mrs. Cassilis. 

Note. The Stage Directions throughout this play are 
given from the standpoint of the audience, R. meaning 
the Audience's Right, l. the Audience's Left. 

5 



6 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

KiccTOR. {hack to fire) My dear T told you 
we oughtu't to have called. On so sad au occa- 
siou 

Mrs. IIeiuues. (r. c.) My dear Ilildebraud, 
it's just on these sad occasions that a visit is so 
consoling. One should always call after a birth, 
a funeral. . . . (sits) 

Butler, (showing in Lady Remenham and 
her daughter) I will tell Mrs. Cassilis you are 
here, my lady. She, will be down in a moment. 

Lady Remenham. {coming down n. c. to arm- 
chair) Thank you. How do you do ^Irs. ITerries. 
Plow do you do, Rector, {general handshake) 

(Mabel and Rector cross l.) 

Mrs. Herries. Uow do you Lady Remenham. 

(Rector crosses l. to icindoic.) 

Rector. Uow do you do, ]Mabel. (Lady Mauel 
at window) 

Lady Remenham. {seating Jierself comfortaVlg 
R. c) You've heard this dreadful news haven't 
you? (Rector makes sympathetic gesture) 

Mrs. Herries. Yes. I'oor Mrs. Cassilis. 

Lady Remenham. Poor Adelaide indeed. 
That unhapjiy boy! But there! Row any mother 
can allow such a thing to happen passes my com- 
prehension. To get engaged! 

Rector, {nods sginpatlieticalh/) Just so. (c.) 

Lady Remenham. {sitting in armchair) 
Engagements are such troublesome things. They 
sometimes even lead to marriage. But we'll ho])e 
it won't be as bad as that in this case. You've 
not heard who she is I suppose? 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. T 

Mrs. Herries. {sitting r. c.) No. 

Lady Remenham. Ah. Someone quite impos- 
sible of course. Otherwise Adelaide would have 
told us in her letter. 

Mrs. Herries. I'm afraid so. 

Lady Kemenham. It's really extremely wicked 
of Geoffrey. And so silly too ! — which is worse. 
A temporary infatuation I could understand, 
terminated by some small monetary payment. It 
would have been regrettable of course, but young 
men are like that. And Adelaide could have 
stopped it out of his allowance. But an engage- 
ment ! I am quite shocked at her. 

Mabel, {at ivindoiv) Don't you think, mam- 
ma, we might leave Mrs, Cassilis to manage her 
son's affairs her own way? {sits on sofa l.) 

Lady Eemenham. She has not managed them. 
That's exactly what I complain of. I can't alto- 
gether acquit the Rector of some blame in the mat- 
ter. He was Geoffrey's tutor for years. They 
used to say in my young days " Train up a child 
in the way he should go " 

Rector, {at hack of settee) And when he's 
grown up he'll give you a great deal of anxiety. 
So they did! So they did! {sits in small chair 
L. c.) 

Lady Remenham. {severely) That is not the 
ending I remember. 

Rector. That is the Revised Version. 

Lady Re:menham. I daresay. They seem to 
alter everything nowadays. But if so I hardly 
see the use of education. 

Rector. I have long been of that opinion, 



d THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Lady Remenbam. {Enter c. Mrs. Cassilis in a 
charming afternoon gown) 

Mrs. Cassilis. You must forgive me all of you. 
I had some letters to finish, {general handshake. 
Kiss to Mabel) Dear Mabel. How do you do, 
Mrs. Herries. 

Rector. How do you do, Mrs. Cassilis. 

Lady Remenham. My dear Adelaide irJiat a 
charming gown ! But you always do have the 
most delightful clothes. Where do you get them? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Clarice made this, {tiro foot- 
men and Butler bring tea. They bring table 
doicn c. Butler looks on) 

Lady Remenham. Clarice? The wretch ! She 
always makes my things atrociously. If only I 
had your figure ! 

(Footman brings chair from up l. puts it l. of 
table.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Excuse me dear, {to Butler) 
The carriage has gone to the station to meet Lady 
Marchmont, Watson ? 

Butler. Yes, Madam. It started five minutes 
ago. {exit Butler foUowcc' by Footmen) 

Mrs. Cassilis. {to Lady Remenham) I'm so 
glad you like it. {up to table) 

Lady Remenham. Is Margaret coming to stay 
with you? {crosses to table l. c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Y'es, for ten days. 

Lady Remenham. And now will you please 
pour out my tea? I have come here to scold you 
and I shall require several cups. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (quite innocent) To scold wc.^ 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 9 

(goes to tahle and takes seat) Won't you all 
bring up your chairs to the table? {thci/ all do 
so) Rector where are you? {to Lady Remen- 
ham) Cream? 

Lady Remenham. Thank you. And a small 
lump. 

Mrs. Cassilis. And why am I to be scolded? 

Lady Remenham. You know quite well. Ade- 
laide what is this I hear about Geoffrey's engage- 
ment? 

Mrs, Cassilis. (checrfulli/) Oh that? Yes. 
Geoffrey has got engaged to a girl in London. 
Isn't it romantic of him! I know nothing what- 
ever about her except that I believe she has no 
money and Geoffrey is over head and ears in 
love with her. 

Mrs. Herries. My dear Mrs. Cassilis, I should 
have thought that was quite enough! 

Mrs. Cassilis. Rector, will you cut that cake? 
It's just by your hand. 

Lady Remenham. Where did he meet her? 

Mrs. Cassilis. In an omnibus, I understand. 

Lady Remenham. An omnibus! 

Mrs. Cassilis. l^es. That was so ro^tonf/c too! 
One of the horses fell down and she was fright- 
ened. They thought she was going to faint. 
Geoffrey got her out, took charge of her, disc6v- 
ered her address and took her home. Wasn't it 
clever of him? Of course she asked him to come 
in. He was introduced to her mother. And now 
they're engaged, (gives cup to Rector) 

Lady Remenham. {with awful dignity) And 
what is the name of this young person? 



10 THE CAbSiLIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mits. Cassilis. r>oi*i'i(lge. 

Lady Kiomkmiam, IJorridge! Mabel my love 
pray reiiiembei* if ever you come home ami inform 
me that you are engaged to a person of the name 
of Borridge I shall whip you. {puis doivn cup) 

IMap.kl. Very well, Mamma. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Another cup? 

Lady Remeniia:\i. Thank you. Rather less 
sugar, this time, {gifts cuj)) I never could 
understand why you let Geoffrey be in London at 
all. Alone too. Young men ought never to be al- 
lowed out alone at his age. They are so suscep- 
tible, {takes cup) 

Mabel. Geoffrey has his profession, mamma. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Geoffrey's at the Bar, you know. 

Lady Remenham. The Bar! What business 
has Geoffrey to be at the Bar! Deynham has the 
best shooting in the Shires and in the winter 
there's the hunting. AVhat more does he want? 
It's disgraceful. 

Rector. My dear Lady Remenham you're sure 
you're not confusing the Bar with the Dock? 

Mrs. Herries. Ilildebraud! 

Lady Remenhaim. The Bar is a good enough 
profession of course. But only for very j^ounger 
sons. Geoffrey will have Deynham some day and 
tvi'elve thousand a year. I don't think Adelaide 
need have made a little attorney of him. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Young men must do somethinf/, 
don't you think? 

Lady Remenham. Cerlainly not! It's this 
vulgar Radical notion that people ought to do 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 11 

things that is riiiuiug English Society. What did 
Mr. Borridge do, by the way? 

Mrs. Cassilis. {hesitates) He was a book- 
maker, I believe. 

Lady Remenham. {triumphantly) There you 
see! That's what comes of doing things! 

Mrs. Cassilis. {slight shrug. Pouring her- 
self out more tea and still quite unruffled) Well 
I'm afraid there's no use in discussing it. They're 
engaged and Miss Borridge is coming down here. 

Mrs. Herries. Coming here ! 

Lady Remenham. Coming here ! ! ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. Yes. On a visit. With her 
mother. 

Lady Remenham. {putting doicn her cup with 
a touch of solcnrnity) xldelaide are you — excuse 
my asking the question — are you quite in your 
rjght mind? 

Mrs. Cassilis. I believe so. 

Lady Remenham. You've noticed nothing? 
No dizziness about the head? No singing in the 
ears? (Mrs. Cassilis shakes her head) And yet 
you ask this young woman to stay with you ! And 
her mother! Neither of whom you know any- 
thing whatever about ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. Another cup? (Mrs. Cassilis 
takes it) 

Lady Remenham. Is Mr. Borridge — Ugh — com- 
ing too? 

Mrs. Cassilis. He is dead, I believe. 

Lady Remenham. That at least is satisfactory. 

Mabel. Mamma ! 

Lady Remenham. Mabel I shall do my duty 



12 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

whatever liai)i>€iis. And does Mrs. liorridge carry 
on the business? 1 think you said he was a hoot- 
maker? 

Mabel. • Book-maker. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Ko. I believe he left her some 
small annuity. 

Lady REMENiiAiM. Annuity? All, dies with her 
of course? 

Mas. Cassilis. Ko doubt. 

Lady Remenham. Well Adelaide I never 
should have believed it of you. To ask these 
people to the house! 

Mrs. Cassilis. Why shouldn't I ask them? 
Geoffrey tells me Ethel is charming. 

Lady Remenham. Ethel? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Miss Borridge. 

Lady Remenham. Bah! {enter Butlee C. 
showing in Lady Marchmont) 

Butler. Lady Marchmont. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (rising) Ah Margaret. How 
glad I am to see you. Some more tea, Watson. 

Lady Marchmont. {kisses her) Not for me, 
please. No really. My doctor won't Jiear of it. 
Dot water with a little milk is the most he allows 
me. How do you do, dear, (greeting the others, 
shaking hands) How do you do. How do you 
do. (exit Butler) 

Mrs. Cassilis. How's the General? 

Lady Marchmont. Very gouty. His temper 
this morning was atrocious, ])oor man. 

Lady Remenham. (shakes head) You bear 
it like a Saint, dear. 

Lady Marchmont. (.s/7,v r. c. np) Yes — I go 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 13 

away a good deal. He finds 1113' absence very 
soothing. That's why I was so glad to accept 
Adelaide's invitation when she asked me. 

(Vicar offers Lady Marchmont cake.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. My dear, you'll be invaluable. 
I look to you to help me with my visitors. 

Lady Remenham. Poor Margaret. But you 
always were so unselfish. 

Lady Marchmont. Are they t^cry — ? 

Lady Remenham. Very! ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. {laughing) My dear, Lady 
Remenham knows nothing whatever about them. 

Lady Remenham. I know everything about 
them. The girl has no money. She has no posi- 
tion. She became engaged to Geoffrey without 
your knowledge. She has a perfectly dreadful 
mother. And her name is Borridge. 

Lady Marchmont. When are they coming? 

Mrs. Cassilis. I expect them in half an hour. 
The carriage was to go straight back to the sta- 
tion to meet them. 

Lady Remenham. I hope Geoffrey is conscious 
of the folly and wickedness of his conduct. 

Lady Marchmont. Where is he, dear? 

]\Irs. Cassilis. He's down here with me — and 
as happy as possible, I'm glad to say. 

Lady Remenham. Extraordinary! But the 
young men of the present day arc extraordinary'. 
Young men nowadays seem always to be either 
irreclaimably vicious or deplorably silly. I prefer 
them vicious. They give less trouble. My poor 



14 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

bi'otliei* Algei'uou — you lemembei' Algeiiioii, don't 
you, Kector? He was auotber of your pupils. 

Rector. {si(jhs) Yes, 1 remember. 

Mrs. Herries. Major Warrington hasn't been 
down for quite a long time has he? 

Lady Remenham. No. We don't ask him to 
Milverton now. He comes to us in London but in 
the country one has to be more particular. He 
really is dreadl'ully dissipated. Always running 
after some petticoat or other. Often more than 
one. But there is safety in numbers, don't you 
think? 

Rector. Unquestionably. 

Lady Remeniiam. Algernon always says he's 
by temperament a polygamist. I don't know what 
he means. However, I've no anxiety about him. 
He never gets engaged. He's far too clever for 
that. I wonder if he could help you out of this 
dreadful entanglement? In a case of this kind 
one should have the very best advice. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (lauijlutuj) I shall be de- 
lighted to see 3Iajor Warrington — though not for 
the reason you suggest. 

Lady Remeniiam. Well, I'll ask him down. 
Remenham won't like it. He disapproves of him 
so much. He gets (piite virtuous about it. lint 
that sort of moral indignation should never be 
allowed to get out of hand, should it? (Rector 
nods) Resides he's away just now. I'll write to 
Algernon directly I get back and I'll bring him 
over to dinner one day next week. Say Thursday? 

Lady IvrARriiMONT. Do, dear. I adore Major 
Warrington. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 15 

Lady Rbmenham. I daresay, {preparing to 
(jo) lie isn't your brother. IMeantiiiie I can ask 
liim whether he kuows anything against Mrs. 
Borridge. Uut he's sure to. He knows nearly all 
the detrimental people in London, especially if 
their daughters are in the least attractive. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (rises) You'll come with him 
on Thursday, won't you? And Mabel? 

(Mabel rises.) 

Lady Remeniiam. Perhaps that will be best. 
Then I can keep my brother within bounds. Poor 
Algernon is apt to take too much champagne un- 
less I am there to prevent him. And now dear, I 
really must go. [she and Mabel rise) Good-bye. 

Miis. Cassilis. You won't stay to meet Mrs. 
Borridge? 

Lady Remenham. (shudders) 1 think not. 
Thursday will be quite soon enough. Good-bye 
Mrs. Herries. (enter Geoffrey c.) Ah here is 
the 3'Oung man who is causing us all this distress. 

Geoffrey, (up r. c.) I, Lady Remenham? 
(shalces hands) How do you do Aunt Margaret. 
(shakes hands with others) 

Lady Remenham. (shakes hands) You. What 
do you mean by getting engaged to someone we 
none of us know anything about? 

Mabel. Mamma ! 

Lady Remenham. I consider your conduct per- 
fectly heartless. Its foolishness needs no com- 
ment from me. 

Geoffrey. Really, Lady Remenham ! 

Lady Remenham. Tut, tut, sir. Don't 



IG THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

" really " me. I'm ashamed of 3'ou. And now 
I'll be off before T quarrel with you. Come Mabel. 
{sweeps out folloircd hy ]Mai'.i:l. Geoffkey opens 
door for them, takes them to their carriage) 

Mrs. Herries. I think we ought to be going 
too. Come Hildebrand. (shakes Jiands) 

(Mrs. Cassilis rings.) 

Rector. Good-bje Mrs. Cassilis. Let's hope 
everything will turn out for the best. 

]\Irs. IIeukies. It never does. Good-bj'e. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (l. c. going up uith Rector) 
Good-bye. (shakes Jiuuds warmly) And you'll 
both come and dine on Thursday, won't you? To- 
morrow week tliat is. Major \\arrington will 
want to see his old tutor. 

Rector. You're very good, {t1(ey go out c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Dear Lady Remenham! What 
nonsense she talks, (coming down l. c.) 

Lauy Makciimo.nt. (at fire) People who talk 
as much as that must talk a good deal of nonsense 
mustn't they? Otherwise they'd have nothing to 
say. (Re-enter Geoffrey) 

Geoffrey. Lady Remenham seems ruffled. 

Lady March mont. About your engagement? 
I'm not surprised, (coming c.) 

Geoffrey. I don't see what it's got to do with 
her. (l. c.) 

Lady March moxt. (sits c.) You must make 
allowance for a mother's feelings, my dear Geof- 
frey. 

Geoffrey, (patting ^^RS. Cassilis's hand, goes 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 17 

to table c.) Lady Remenham isn't my mother, 
she's my God-mother. 

Lady March mont. She's Mabel's mother. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Sh! Margaret. 

Lady Marchmont. My dear there's no use 
making mj'steries about things. Geoffrey was 
always supposed to be going to marry Mabel ever 
since they were children. He knows that. 

Geoffrey. That was only boy and girl talk. 

Lady Marchmont. For you perhaps. 

Geoffrey. And for her. Mabel never expected 
— (pause. He thinks) 

Lady Marchmont. Did you ever ask her. 

Geoffrey. But I never supposed 

Lady Marchmont. I think you should have 
supposed. A boy should be very careful how he 
encourages a girl to think of him in that way. 

Geoffrey. But I'd no idea. Of course I like 
Mabel. I like her awfully. We're like brother 
and sister. But beyond that — (pause) Mother, 
do 1/ou think I've behaved badly to Mabel? 

Mrs. Cassilis. (seated on settee l. c.) (Gently) 
I think jterhaps you've a little disapi)ointed her. 

Geoffrey. Why didn't somebody tell me? 
How was I to know? 

Lady Marchmont. My dear boy we couldn't be 
expected to know you were absolutely blind. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Margaret you're not to scold 
Geoffrey. I won't allow it. 

Geoffrey. Mother dear — you won't allow this 
to make any difference? With Ethel I mean? 

Mrs. Cassilis, Of course not Geoff, (lays 
hand on his) 



18 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Geoffrey, (seated on arm of settee.) (Earn- 
estly) She's so fond of me. And Vm so fond of 
her. We were made for each other. I couldn't 
bear it if you were unlvind to her. 

]Mrs. Cassilis. My dear Geotf. I'm sure Ethel 
is everything tliat is sweet and <iood or my 
boy wouldn't love her. And I intend to fall in 
love with her myself directly I set eyes on her. 

(lEOFFREY. Dear mother! ijxits her hand af- 
fectionately. J'ause, then tlioKgliffiilty) I'm 
afraid you'll tlnd her mother rather trying — at 
first. She's not quite a lady you know. . . . 
But she's very good-nature<l. 

Mrs. Cassilis. [cheerfully) Well, well, v.-c 
sliall see. And now run away dear and leave me 
to talk to Margai-et and I'll undertake that all 
symptoms of crossness shall have disappeared be- 
fore our visitors arrive. 

Geoffrey. All right, mother, {kisses her and 
exit c.) 

Lady March mont. IIow you sjtoil that boy? 

Mrs. Cassilis. (lightly) What else sliould I 
do with him? He's my only one. .Mothers always 
s])oil their sons, don't they? And (juarrel with 
their daughters. More marriages are due to girls 
being unhappy at home than most people imagine. 

Lady March mont. And yet Geoffrey wants to 
leave you apparently. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (sits l. c.) Evidently I didn't 
spoil him enough, (pause) 

Lady March mont. Well I'm glad you're 
pleased with this engagement. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (sudden ehanefe of manner. Her 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 19 

face loses its hr'ujhtncss and she suddenly seems 
to look older) Pleased with it. Do you really 
believe that? 

Lady March mont. Didn't you say so? 

Mrs. Cassilis. To Lady Remenham and Mrs. 
Herries. Yes. 

Lady March mont. And to Geoffrey. 

Mrs. Cassilis. And (leoffrey too. Mothers 
can't always be straightforward with their sons, 
can they? 

Lady Marchmont. Why not? 

Mrs. Cassilis. {going nearer to Jier and becom- 
ing intensely serious) My dear Margaret what 
would you do if your son suddenly wrote to you 
that he had become engaged to a girl you knew 
nothing whatever about, a girl far beneath him 
in social rank? 

Lady' Marchmont. (prmly) I should have 
forbidden the engagement. Forbidden it abso- 
lutely. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Without seeing the girl? 

Lady Marchmont. Certainly. The mere fact 
of her accepting my son before I had ever set eyes 
on her would have been quite enough. 

Mrs. Cassilis. But supposing your son, were 
of age and independent? 

Lady' Marchmont. Geoffrey isn't independent. 

Mrs. Cassilis. He has five hundred a year. 

Lady Marchmont. What's that? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Besides Geoffrey knows I 
should always be willing to help him. 

Lady Marchmont. That's just it. He ought 
not to have known. You ought to have made it 



20 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

dear to liiiii from tlic liist thai il' he married witli- 
out your couseut be would uever have a })eHuy 
from you either now or at your death. Deynham 
isn't entailed fortunately. 

Mrs. Cassilis. liut my dear I couldn't disin- 
herit Geoffrey ! How could I ? 

Lady March moxt. (shruf/fi) You could have 
threatened to. And then the girl wouldn't have 
accejtted him. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I don't know. Five hundred a 
year may seem a considerable sum to her. 

Lady Marcii.mont. {horrified ) Is it as bad as 
that'? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Besides she may be really in 
love with him. 

Lady March mont. {impatiently) What has 
that to do with if.' 

Mrs. Cassilis. Young people. In love. They 
are seldom prudent, are they? 

Lady March moxt. [ohstiriatc) Still I should 
have forbidden the engagement. 

Mrs. Cassilis. And then? 

Lady Marchmoxt. ^Vhat do you mean? 

Mrs. Cassilis. If CeofTrey had defied me? 
Boys can be very obstinate. 

Lady March mont. I should have refused ever 
to see him again. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {rises goes l.) Ah, Margaret, 
I couldn't do that. Geoffrey is everything I have. 
He is my only son, my joy and my i)ride. I 
couldn't quarrel with him whatever happened. 
(Lady March mont shrugs) No, Margaret, my 
plan was the best. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 21 

Lady March mont. What is yoiu- plan. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {sits l. c.) My plau is to give 
the thing a fair trial. Ask her down here. Ask 
her mother down here. And see what happens. 

Lady Marchmont. Nothing else? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Nothing else — at present. 

Lady Marchmont. You could have done that 
without sanctioning the engagement. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Yes. But love thrives on op- 
position. There's a fascination about a runaway 
match. It has romance. Whereas there's no 
romance at all about an ordinary wedding. It's 
only dull and rather vulgar. And after all the 
girl mai/ be presentable. 

Lady Marchmont. Borridge! I'm not very 
sanguine about that. 

JMrs. Cassilis. Anyhow she's pretty and Geof- 
frey loves her. That's all we know about her at 
present. 

Lady Marchmont. [rises goes n.) Wretched 
boy. To think he should have allowed himself to 
be caught in this way! .... (at chair r. 
c.) Don't you think you might have asked the 
daughter without the mother? 

Mrs. Cassilis. So Geoffrey suggested. He 
seemed rather nervous about having her here. 
She's rather a terrible person, I gather. But I 
said as we were marrying into the family we 
mustn't be unkind to her. Poor boy he rather 
blenched at that. I think he hadn't associated 
Mrs. Borridge with his matrimonial schemes. It's 
just as well he should do so at once don't you 
think! 



22 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

IJuTLKK. Mis. aiul Miss Boi'i'idge. {enter Mus. 
IJoKUiiHJK and Ktiiicl) 

[Jiolh riac. Lady Mauciimont goes doicti l. c. 
Mus, Cassilis doitn u. c.) 

Mus. Cassilis. (entire ehange of manner, very 
sweetly) How do you do. Hoio do you do, my 
dear, (/rm-cs Etiii:l) Tell Mr. Geoffrey, Watson. 
I hoi)e you've not had a tiriuj^ journey, Mrs. Bor- 
ridge? {exit Butler) 

Mus. BouRiDGE. (r. c.) Not at all Mrs. Cas- 
silis. We 'ad — had — the conipartnient to our- 
selves, bcin' first class. As I says to my girlie 
" they'll very likely send the carridge to meet 
us and it looks belter for the servants." 

(Ethel erosses u. up.) 

Mus. Cassilis. (c. .slill .sivvetly) Let me intro- 
duee you. Mrs. Borridge— Lady Marchmont, Miss 
Borridge. (Lady Mauciimont hows) 

Mus. BouuiDGE. {extends gloved hand) How 
do you do. Lady Marchmont. l*roud I'm sure. 
{enter Geoferey hurriedly) 

(Mrs. Cassilis l. c.) 

Geoffrey. How do you do. Mrs. Borridge. 
Ethel dear how long have you been here? 1 didn't 
hear you come, {kisses Jier) 

Ethel. We've only just got here. 

(Lady" Marchmont sits down n. r.) 

Mus. BouRiDGE. (sits up u. ('.) Don't apologise, 
GeolTy. Your Ma's been entertaining us most 
kind. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 23 

Geoffrey, {ivith look of gratitude to Mrs. 
Cassilis) Dear mother. 

Mrs. Borridge. Well, bow are you Geofify? 
You look first-rate. 

(Mrs. Cassilis sits l. c. up.) 

Geoffrey. Oh I'm all right. 

Mrs. Borridge. And what a fine 'ouse — house 
—you've got! Quite a palace I declare! 

Geoffrey. I'm glad you like it. 

Mrs. Borridge. And it'll all be your's some day. 
Won't it? 

Ethel, {pulls Iter sleeve) Mother! 

Geoffrey. That's as my mother decides. 

Mrs. Borridge. Then you're sure to 'ave it. 
I know what mothers are ! And what a 'andsome 
room too. Quite like the Metropole at Brighton. 
{enter Maid_, c. very smartly dressed in hlaek) 

Maid. Can I have your keys, Madam? 

Mrs. Borridge. My keys? 

(Geoffrey works l. c.)' • 

Maid. The keys of your trunks, Madam. 

Mrs. Borridge. Certainly not. Who ever 'eard 
of such a thing? 

Maid. I thought you might wish me to unpack 
for you. Madam. 

Mrs. Borridge. Oh. Bid you ! I don't want no 
strange girls ferriting in my boxes. (Ethel 
nudges her arm) What is it, Eth? Oh, very well. 
But I'm not going to let her all the same. No 
thank you. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {rises) Mrs. Borridge will un- 



24 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

park lor herseH", Dorset. (Maid Tjoics going) 
Wait a iiionient. (Maid pauses) Would you like 
to take off your things at once, Mrs. Borritl<i;e? 
If so, Dorset shall show you your room. And I'll 
have some tea sent up to you there. You'll want 
it after your journey, {feels tea pot) This is 
quite cold. What do you say, Ethel? 

Ethel. Thank you Mrs. Cassilis. A cup of tea 
would be very nice. 

Mrs. Cassilis. ,Show Mrs. Borridge her room, 
Dorset. (Mus. Bokuiduk rises) And take her up 
some tea. Dinner will be at eight. You'll ring if 
there's anything you want, won't you? 

Mus. BouniDUE. Thank you, Mrs. Cassilis. {exit. 
Geofkkey hisses Ethel slglij in passing. Mus. 
Cassilis comes doivn k. c. uith slight shiidder) 

Geoffrey, {enthusiastic) ^^'ell mother, ichat 
do 3'ou think of her! Isn't she siceet.^ {coming 
(I aim L. c.) 

Mus. Cassilis. {crosses to him l. c.) She's 
very pretty, Geotf. 

Geoffrey. And good! You don't know how 
good she is ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. So long as she's good to my boy 
that's all I ask. 

(Jeoffuey. Dearest mother, {hisses her dem- 
onsfratireli/) Now I'll go and dress, {exit c.) 

Ladv ]MARriiMONT. (pause, rises) And that's 
the girl your son is to marry. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (standing c. hj/ table) Marry 
her! — Nonsense, my dear Margaret. 

Curtain. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 25 



ACT II. 

Scene: — The lawn at Dcynham. Long chairs 
under shade of trees c. On r. terrace of the 
house from ichich stejJS lead doicn to laicn. 
French irindoics from house on to terrace 
(open.) An cjdt up l. to other part of grounds. 
Another exit down l. to the strawherry beds. 
The stage is empty when curtain rises. Then 
enter from house Mrs. Cassilis followed by 
Ethel, and a little later, Mrs. Bouridge. Mrs. 
Cassilis is dressed in a charming morning 
gown. She and Ethel carry parasols. Ethel 
irears a simple ivhite hlouse and skirt, Mrs. 
Borridge in green blouse rather bright in color. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Shall we come out on the lawn? 
It's such a perfect morning. 

Ethel. That ti'/ZZ be jolly Mrs. Cassilis. {they 
come down) When I'm in the country I shall 
always eat too much breakfast and then spend 
the morning on a long chair digesting it. So will 
mother. 

Mrs. Borridge. How you go on, dearie ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. Try this chair then, {slightly 
moving long chair forward) Mrs. Borridge what 
kind of chair do you like? 



2G THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. BoRRiiMJK. This'll do. Tin not particular. 
{siihsidcs into (inoihcr long chdir) Am I showing 
my ankles, Kth? 

Ethel. Sli! mother! (giggles) 

Mrs. BoRRiitGi:. Well I only asked, dearie. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I wonder if you'd like a cushion 
for your head? Try this, (puts lirid red cushion 
hvhind vivid green blouse. The effect is electrify- 
ing) 

Mrs. BoRRiDGB. That's better. 

Ethel. I call this Heaven, Mrs. Cassilis. 

Mrs. Cassilis. That's right, my dear, {putting 
her shoulder) Are you fond of the country? 

Ethel. I don't know. I've never been there 
so far. Not to the real country I mean. Mums 
and I have a week at Brighton now and then. 
And once we went for a month to Broadstairs 
after I had the measles. But that's not exactly 
country, is it? 

^Mrs. Cassilis. You're sure to like it. Geoffrey 
loves it. lie's never so haitpy as when he's pot- 
tering about Deynham with his gun. (crosses r. 
c. sits) 

Ethel. Doesn't he get tired of that? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Oh, no. Besides he doesn't do 
that all the j'ear round. He rides a great deal. 
We've very good hunting at Deynham. Are you 
fond of horses? 

Ethel. I can't bear them, Mrs. Cassilis. 

Mrs. Borrii)(je. When she was a little tot her 
father put 'er — her — on a pony and she fell off. 
It didn't hurt 'er but the doctor said 'er nerve was 
shook. And now she can't boar horses. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 27 

Mrs. Oassilis. What a pity! I do hope you 
won't be dull while you're with us. Perhaps 
you're foud of walking? 

Ethel. Yes. I don't mind walking — for a 
little. If there's anything to walk to. 

Mns. Cassilis. We often walk up Milverton 
Hill on fine afternoons to see the view. It's the 
highest point about here. 

Ethel. {stiflin<j a yawn) Is it, Mrs. Cas- 
silis? 

Mrs. Cassilis. And no doubt we shall find 
other things to amuse you. What do you like? 

Ethel. Oh, shops and theatres, and lunching 
at restaurants and dancing, and oh, lots of things. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I'm afraid we've no shops 
nearer than Leicester, and that's twelve miles 
away. And we've no restaurants at all. But I 
daresay we could get up a dance for you. 

Ethel. {clapping her Jiatids) That'll be 
sweet! I simplj' lore dancing. And all the rest 
of the time I shall sit on the lawn and grow fat, 
like Mummy. (protest from Mrs. Borridge.) 
Oh, yes, I shall. 

Mrs. Borridge. Ethel, don't be saucy. 

Ethel, (laughing) Mummy, if you scold me 
you'll have to go in. It's far too hot to be scolded. 

Mrs. Borridge. Isn't she a spoil't girl, Mrs. 
Cassilis? What they taught you at that board- 
ing school, Miss, / don't know. Not manners, / 
can see. 

Ethel, (ruffling her mothcr^s wig) There! 
there! Mums. Was 'em's cross? 

Mrs. Borridge. [pettishly) Stop it, Ethel, 



28 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

stop it, I say. Whatovoi- will Mrs. Cassilis thiuk 
of you! 

(Ethel sits acjain in chair c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Don't scold her, Mrs. Borridj^e. 
It's so pleasant to see a little high spirits, isn't 
it? 

Mas. P.oiuuDGE. (beaming) AVell, if tjon don't 
mind, Mrs. Cassilis, / don't. But it's not the 
way girls were taught to behave in my young 
days. 

Ethel, (slight yawn) That was so long ago, 
]\Iums! 

]Mks. Cassilis. (rising) AVell, I must go and 
see after my house-keei)ing. Can you entertain 
each other while I'm away for a little? My sister 
will be down soon, 1 hojfe. She had breakfast 
in lier room. And GeolTrey will be back in half 
an hour. 1 asked him to ride over to Milverton 
for me with a note. 

Ethel. We shall be all right, Mrs. Cassilis. 
Mother'll go to sleep. She always does if you 
make her too comfortable. And then she'll snore, 
won't you, Mums? (exit Mrs. Cassilis r., icith a 
ghastly smile). 

Mrs. Borridge. Ethel, you shouldn't talk like 
that before Mrs. Cassilis. She won't like it. 

Ethel. Oh yes she will. And I'm going to 
make her like me awfully. What lovely clothes 
she has! I wish you had lovely clothes, Mums. 

Mrs. Borridge. What's the matter with my 
clothes, dearie? I 'ad on my best silk last night. 
And I bought this blouse special in the Grove 
onlv a week ago so as to do vou credit. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 29 

Ethel. 1 know. Still .... Couldn't 
you have chosen something quieter? 

Mrs. Borridge. Oh no, dearie. I 'ate quiet 
things. 

Ethel, ^ate, mother. 

Mrs. Borridge. Hate then. Give me something 
cheerful. 

Ethel, {hopelessly) Very well, Mummy. 

Mrs. Borridge. But do be careful what you 
say before Mrs. Cassilis. She's not used to girls 
being so free. 

Ethel. Oh, yes she is. Mums. All girls are 
like that nowadays. All girls that are ladies, I 
mean. They bet and talk slang and smoke cigar- 
ettes and play bridge. I know all about that. 
I've read all about it in the "^ Ladies Mail." One 
of them put ice down her young man's back at 
dinner and when he broke off his engagement she 
only laughed. 

Mrs. Borridge. {lamentably) Oh, dear, I do 
hope there won't be ice for dinner to-night. 

(Ethel goes to her, sits on r. arm of chair.) 

Ethel, {laughing) Poor Mums, don't be 
anxious. I'll be very careful, I promise you. 

Mrs. Borridge. You're so 'eadstrong. And I 
do want to see you married and respectable. I 
wasn't always respectable myself, and I know 
what it means for a girl. Your sister Nan, she's 
gay, she is. She 'adn't no ambition. An' look 
what she is now ! 

Ethel. If Geoff, were to hear of it! (going 
down R. c. to dack of chair c.) 



30 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. Borridgb. 'E won't. Not 'e! I've seen 
to that. 

Ethel. These things always get known some- 
how. 

(Ethel sits again on her chair r. c.) 

Mrs. Borridge. Nan's changed 'er name. 
Calls 'erself Mrs. Seymour. An' she never comes 
to see us now. If she did, I'd show 'er Ihe door 
fast enough. Disgraciu' us like that! 

Ethel. Poor Nan! 

Mrs. Borridge. Don't you pity 'er. She don't 
deserve it. She treated us like dirt. She's a bad 
'uu all through. I've done things myself as I 
didn't ought to 'ave done. But I've always 
wanted to be respectable. But it's not so easy 
when you've your living to make and no one to 
look to. (Ethel nods) Yes, I've 'ad my bad 
times, dearie. But I've pulled through them. 
And I made your father marry me. No one can 
deny that. It wasn't easy. An' I had to give him 
all my savings before 'e'd say yes. And then I 
wasn't 'appy till we'd been to church. But 'e 
did marry me in the end. An' then you was born, 
an' I says my girl shall be brought up respect- 
able. She shall be a lady. And some day, when 
she's married an' ridiu' in her carriage, she'll say 
'' it's all mother's doing." (pause) 

Ethel. How long icere you married to father, 
Mums? 

Mrs. Borridge. Only eight years, dearie. Be- 
fore that I was 'is 'ouse-keeper. 

Ethel. His, Mummy. 

Mrs. Borridge. Very well, dearie. Father 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 31 

drank 'isself to death the year Ben d'or won the 
Ledger. He lost a pot o' money over that, and 
it preyed on 'is mind. So lie took to the drink. 
If he 'adn't insured 'is life an' kep' the premiums 
payed we should 'ave been in the 'ouse, that's 
where we should 'ave been, dearie. 

Ethel. Poor dad ! 

Mrs. Borridge. Yes. 'e 'ad 'is faults. But 
'e was a kind 'earted man, wan Joe Borridge. 
'E died much respected, {cheering up) An' now 
you're engaged to a real gentleman ! That's the 
sort for my Eth ! 

Ethel. Oh! Sh ! Mums, {rises, looking round 
nervously) 

Mrs. Borridge. No one'll hear. And if they 
do what's the harm? You've got 'is promise. 

(Ethel standing hy her mother c.) 

Ethel. His, Mother. 

Mrs. Borridge. You can hold 'im — him — to it. 

Ethel. Yes. Besides Geoif's awfully in love 
with me. And I really rather like liim, 3'ou know, 
— in a way. 

Mrs. Borridge. / know, dearie. Still I'd get 
something from 'im on paper if I was you, some- 
thing that'll 'old 'im. The men takes a bit of 'old- 
ing nowadays. They're that slippy! You get 
something that'll 'old 'im. That's what I always 
say to girls. letters is best. Oh, the chances 
I've seen missed through not gettin' something 
on paper! 

Ethel. You needn't worry. Mummy. Geoff's 
all right. 



32 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. Bohuidge. I daresay. Still I'd like 
soniotliiug the lawyers can take hold ol". Geoffrey 
may get tired of you, dearie. Men are that 
changeable. / know them ! 

ICthel. He'd better not! I'd make him pay 
for it! 

Mrs. Borridge. {approvinfj) So yon could, 
dearie, so long as yon 'ad somethin' on pai)er. 
(Ethel shrugs inipatknthj) Well if you won't 
yon won't. But if anylhin' hai)pens don't say I 
didn't warn you. (Ethel crosses r. Pause) 1 
wish Geoffy was a lord, like Lord Buckfastleigh. 

Ethel. / don't, (sits in chair r.) 

Mrs. Borridge. Well not just like Buckfast- 
leigh per'aps. But still a lord. You never did 
like Buckfastleigh. 

Ethel. That old beast ! 

Mrs. Borridge. He's been a good friend to us, 
dearie. And he is an Earl whatever you may say. 

Ethel. Pah ! 

Mrs. Borridge. And he's rich. Richer than 
Geoffy. And he's awfully sweet on j'ou dearie. 
I believe he'd 'ave married you if 'is old woman 
'ad turned up 'er toes last autumn. And he's 
seventy-three. He Avouldn't 'ave lasted kmg. 

Ethel. I wouldn't marry him if he were twice 
as rich — and twice as old. 

Mrs. Borridge. I daresay you're right, dearie. 
He's a queer "un is Buckfastleigh. But he offered 
to settle five thousand down if you'd go to Paris 
with Mm. Five thousand down on the nail. He 
wasn't what you'd call sol)er when he said it but 
he meant it. I darcsav he'd 'ave made it seven 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 33 

if 3'ou liadu't boxed 'is ears. (Ethel laughs) 
Wasn't I savage wheu you did that, dearie. But 
you was right 'as it turned out. For Geoffy pro- 
posed next day and now you'll be a real married 
woman. There's nothing like being married. It's 
so respectable. When you're married you can 
look down on people. And that's what every 
woman wants. That's why I pinched and screwed 
and sent you to boarding school. I said my girlie 
shall be a real lady. And she is. 

Ethel, (rises) Is she, Mums? [goes up) 

Mrs. Borridge. Of course dearie. That's why 
she's 'ere. Deynham .Ibbey, tifo footmen in 
livery, fire in 'er bedroom, evenin' dress every 
night of 'er life. Lady Marchmont invited to 
meet her! Everythin' tip top! And it's not a 
bit too good for my girl. It's what she was 
made for. 

Ethel. (tJioughtfulli/) I Avish Johnny Travers 
had had some money. Then I could have married 
him. 

Mrs. Borridge. Married 'im — him ! Married a 
auctioneer's clerk without twopence to bless 'is- 
self. I should think not indeed! Not likely! 

Ethel. Still I was awfully gone on Johnny. 

Mrs. Borridge. Nonsense Eth. I should 'ope 
we can look 'igher than that! 

Ethel. Sh ! mother. Here's Geoff, (enter 
Geoffrey l. in riding breeches) 

Geoffrey Good morning dear, (Ja'sses Ethel) 
I thought I should be back earlier but I rode over 
to Milverton for the mater, (to Mrs. Borridge) 
Good morning. 



34 THE CASSILrS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mas. BoRiuDGK. {archly) You 'aven't no kisses 
to spare for me, 'ave you, Geoffy? Never mind. 
You keep 'em all for my girl. She's worth 'em. 

Geoffrey, (caressiny Iter hand) Dear Ethel. 

Mrs. Borridgb. How well you look in those 
riding togs, Geoffrey ! Don't 'e Eth? {preparing 
to go) 

Ethel. Geoff always looks well in everything. 

Mrs. Borridge. {rising from chair) Well Til 
go indoors and leave j'ou two to spoon. That's 
what you want / know. I'll go and talk to your 
ma. {exit r. hcaming) 

Geoffrey, {piclcing rose and hringing it to 
her) A rose for the prettiest girl in England. 

Ethel. Oh Geoff, do you think so? 

Geoffrey. Of course. The prettiest and the 
best. {Jiolds her hand) 

Ethel. You do really love me Geoff, don't 

you? 

Geoff. Do you doubt it? {lasses her) 

Ethel. No. You're much too good for me, 
3'ou know, {comes down r. icith him) 

Geoffrey. Nonsense, darling. 

Ethel. It's the truth. You're a gentleman and 
rich and have fine friends. While mother and I 
are common a,s common. 

Geoffrey You're not. 

Ethel. Oh yes we are. Of course I've been to 
school, and been taught things. But what's edu- 
cation? It can't alter how we're made, can it? 
And she and I are the same underneath. 

Geoffrey. Ethel you're not to say such things, 
or to think them. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 35 

Ethel. But they're true Geoff. 

Geoffrey. They're not. {kisses her) Say 
they're not. 

Ethel. No. 

Geoffrey. Say they're not. {kisses lier) Not! 

Ethel. Very well. They're not. 

Geoffrey. That's right, {kiss) There's a re- 
ward. 

Ethel, {ptilling Jicrsclf aivay) I wonder if I 
did right to say " yes " when you asked me, Geolf ? 
Right for you I mean. 

Geoffrey. Of course you did, darling. You 
love me, don't you ? 

Ethel. But wouldn't it have been best for you 
if I'd said " no "? Then you'd have married Lady 
Somebody or other with lots and lots of money 
and lived happy ever afterwards. 

Geoffrey, {indignantly) I shouldn't. 

Ethel. Oh yes you would. 

Geoffrey, {sits on chair c.) And what would 
you have done, pray 

Ethel. Oh I should have taken up with some- 
one else or perhaps married old Buckfastleigh 
when his wife died. 

Geoffrey. Ethel ! 

Ethel. I should. I'm not the sort to go on 
moping for long. I should have been awfully 
down for a bit and missed you every da.y. But 
by and by I should have cheered up and married 
someone else. I could have done it. I could ! 

Geoffrey. {goes to her) And what about 
me? 

Ethel. Wouldn't you have been happier in the 



36 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

eud, dear? I'm not the sort of wile voii ought to 
have married. Some day I expect you'll come to 
hate me. (sigJis) Ileigho. 

Geofkkev. You know I shan't dear. 

Ethel. But I did so want to marry a gentle- 
man. Mother wanted it too. So 1 said " yes " 
you see. 

Geoffrey, {pulling he r np) Darling! (kiss) 
(pause) 

Ethel, [theg cross to l. his arm round her 
waist) Geoff, what did your mother say when 
you told her we were engaged? Was she dread- 
fully down about it? 

Geoffrey. No. 

Ethel. On your honour! 

Geoffrey. On my honour. Mother never said 
a single word to me against it. Lady Marchmont 
scolded me a bit. She's my Aunt you see. 

Ethel. Old cat ! 

Geoffrey. And so did Lady Remenham. She's 
my Godmother. liut mother stood up for us all 
through. 

Ethel. {sighS;, crosses r.) I shall never get on 
with all your fine friends, Geoff. 

Geoffrey. You will. Anyone who's as pretty 
as my Ethel can get on anywhere. 

Ethel. Y'es I am i)retty aren't T? I'm glad of 
that. It makes a difference, doesn't it? 

Geoffrey. Of course. In a week you'll have 
them all running after you. 

Ethel. Shall I, Geoff? AVon't Ihat Ik^ si)len- 
did! {hisses him) Oh, Geoff I'm so hapi>y. 
When shall we be married? 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 37 

Geoffrey, I'm afraid not till next year, dear. 
Next June mother says. 

Ethel. That's a long way off, Geoff. 

Geoffrey. Yes, but mother says you're to be 
here a great deal between now and then, almost 
all the time in fact. So it won't be so bad, will it? 

Ethel, {goes to cJiair r. sits) Why does 3'our 
mother want it put off till then? 

Geoffrey. Something- about the London season 
she said. We shall be married in London of 
course because your mother's house is there. 

Ethel. Oh yes, of course. 

Geoffrey. And besides mother says she never 
believes in very short engagements. She says 
girls sometimes don't quite know their own 
miuds. {goes to her) I said I was sure you 
weren't like that. But she asked me to promise, 
so I did. 

Ethel. Well that's settled then, {juniping 
up) And won't it be nice to be married. Really 
married, {crosses to l.) And now I want to do 
something. I'm tired sitting still. What shall it 
be? 

Geoffrey, {crosses to her) We might go a 
walk up Milverton Hill. The view there's awfully 
fine, {looks at watch) But there's hardly time 
before lunch. 

Ethel. Besides I should spoil my shoes. 
{shows elegant towny shoe) 

Geoffrey'. Suppose we go to the strawberry 
bed and eat strawberries? 

Ethel, {clapping her hands) Oh yes, that'll 
be splendid. I can be so deliciously greedy over 



38 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

strawberries, {jtiil.s Jicr arm in his and leads him 
off i>. JJnUr Mrs. Cassilis, Lady ^Iauchmont and 
Mii.s. IJoKRiDGE froin Jiousc n. as they are <join<j) 

Mus. Cassilis. [affect ionaiehj) Goiug for a 
stroll, dears? 

Geoffrey. Only as far as the strawberry bed, 
mother dear. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Oughtn't dear Ethel to have a 
hat? The sun is very hot there. 

Ethel. I've got a parasol Mrs. Cassilis. {ex- 
eunt L.)' 

Mrs. IIorridge. You weren't down to breakfast 
Lady Marchmont. 

Lady Marchmont. No, I — had a headache. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I'oor Margaret. 

Mrs. Borridge. It's 'eadachy weather isn't it? 
{sits R.) 

Lady March isioxt. I suppose it is. 

Mrs. Borridge. Or perhaps it was the oyster 
patties last night? I've often noticed after an 
oyster I come over quite queer. Specially if it 
isn't quite fresh. 

Lady Marchmont. Indeed! 

Mrs. Borridge. Yes. But crabs is worse. 
Crabs is simply poison to me. 

Ladx Marchmont. How extraordinary. 

Mrs. Borridge. They are I do assure you. If 
I touch a crab I'm that ill nobooy would believe 
it. 

Mrs. Cassilts. {up c.) Well, Margaret, (Lady 
Marchmont sits c.) T expect you oughtn't to be 
talked to or it will make vour head worse. You 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 39 

siiiy here quietly aud rest while I take Mrs. Bor- 
ridge for a stroll in the garden. 

Lady March mont. Thank you. My head is a 
little bad still. 

Mrs. Borridge. Try a drop of brandy, Lady 
Marchmont. My 'usband always said there's 
nothing like brandy if you're feeling poorly. 

Lady March moxt. Thank you. I think I'll 
just try what rest will do. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {making Lady Marchmont 
conifortahlc) I expect that will be best. Put 
your head back, dear. Headaches are such trying 
things aren't they, Mrs. Borridge? This way. And 
you're to keep quiet till luncheon Margaret. 

(Mrs. Cassilis and Mrs. Borridge exeunt l. up.) 

(Lady Marchmont closes her eyes with a sigh of 
relief. After a moment enter Butler with Mrs. 
Herries from house r. 

Butler. Mrs. Ilerries. 

Lady Marchmont. {rises goes up to meet her) 
How do you do. Mrs. Cassilis is in the garden, 
Watson, {to Mrs. Herries.) She has just gone 
for a stroll with Mrs. Borridge. 

Mrs. Herries. Oh, pray don't disturb her. 
Pray don't. I can only stay for a moment. Liter- 
ally a moment. 

Lady Marchmont. But she would be so sorry 
to miss you. Will you let her know Watson. 
She went that way. 

Butler. Yes, my lady, {exit l. up.) 

Lady Marchmont. And how's the dear Rec- 
tor? {sits Q.) You've not brought him with you? 



40 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. IIeuiues. No. Ho was too busy. There is 
always so luuch to do in tliese sniull pai'islies, 
isn't there? 

Lady Marchmoxt. Indeed? 

]Mks. Ukrries. Oh yes. There's the garden — 
and the pigs. The Rector is devoted to his pigs, 
you know. And liis roses. 

Lady March mont. The Rector's roses are 
quite famous, aren't they? 

Mrs. IIiorriks. (r. c, loicering her roice o/id 
leaning forward) xVud now tell me dear Lady 
Marchmont, before Mrs. Cassilis comes back, what 
is she like? 

Lady Marchmont. (r. laufjhing) Really, dear 
Mrs. Ilerries, I think I must leave you to decide 
that for yourself. 

Mrs. Hkrries. So bad as that! The Rector 
feared so. And the mother? (no unsioer) Just 
so! What a pity. An orphan is so much easier 
to deal with. 

Lady Marchmont. You may be glad to hear 
that Mr. Rorridge is dead. 

Mrs. Herries. So Mrs. Cassilis said. How 
fortunate! How very fortunate! {enter Mrs. 
Cassilis l. followed by Mrs. Borridge) 

Mrs. Herries. Dear Mrs. Cassilis how do you 
do. Hoic are you ? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Quite w^ell, thanks. It's Mar- 
garet who is unwell. 

Mrs. Herries. Indeed! She didn't mention it. 

Lady Marchmont. {hurriedly) I have a head- 
ache. 

Mrs. Herries. I'm so sorry. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 41 

Mrs. Cassilis. (sweetly) You have heard of 
my son's engagemeut, haven't you? Dear Ethel is 
with us now I'm glad to say. Let me introduce 
3'ou to her mother. 

Mrs. Herries. (politely frigid) How do you 
do. (hoics) What charming weather we're hav- 
ing aren't we? 

Mrs. Cassilis. You'll stay to luncheon now 
you are here, won't you? 

(Mrs. Borridge sits l.) 

Mrs, ITerries. I'm afraid I mustn't. I left 
the Rector at home. He will be expecting me. 

(Cross Lady Marchmont. goes up c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Why didn't you bring him with 
you? 

Mrs. Herries. So kind of you dear Mrs. Cas- 
silis. (nervously) But he hardly liked — How is 
poor Geoffrey? 

Mrs. Cassilis. (correcting her — hastily) He's 
very well. He's in the kitchen garden with Ethel. 
At the strawberry bed. I'ou'U see them if you 
wait. 

Mrs. Herries. I'm afraid I can't. In fact I 
must run away at once. I only looked in in pass- 
ing. It's nearly one o'clock and the Rector always 
likes his luncheon at one. Good-bye dear Mrs. 
Cassilis. Good-bye Mrs. Borridge. 

Mrs. Borridge. (stretching out her hand) 
Good-bye Mrs. — I didn't rightly catch your name. 

Mrs. Herries. Herries. Mrs. Herries. (shakes 
hands nervously) 



42 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. Bouiudgio. (Jood-bye Mrs. 'r^rris. 

Mrs. Cassilis. And you're coming over to dine 
on Thursday? That's to-day Aveek, you know. 
And the Rector of course. You won't forget ! 

Mrs. IIeruiks. With pleasure. Good-bye Lady 
Marchniont. {looks at Mrs. Borridgb who has 
turned away, then at Lady March mont^ then exit 

R.) 

Mrs. Borridge. I think I'll be going in Mrs. 
Cassilis, j«st to put myself straight for dinner. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Yes. Do. Luncheon will be 
ready in half an hour, (exit ]Mus. lioiunnGE. To 
Lady March mont who sinks limply into chair. 
Mrs. Cassilis rcsuines her natural voice) How's 
your headache Margaret? Better? 

Lady Marchmont. Quite well. In fact I never 
had a headache. That was a little decei)tiou on 
my part, dear to excuse my absence from the 
breakfast table, ^^'ill you forgive me? (Mrs. 
Cassilis nods icilhout a smile. Pause) (Mrs. 
Cassilis goes round tree to l.) Breakfasts are 
rather a mistake aren't Ihoy. So trying to the 
temper. And that awful woman! 1 fel( a brute 
for deserting you. On tlie very first morning too. 
But I didn't feel strong enough to face her again 
so soon. How could Ceoffrey do it I 

Mrs. Cassilis. Geoffrey's not going to marry 
Mrs. Borridge. 

Lady Marciimoxt. He's going to marry the 
daughter. And she'll grow like her mother ulti- 
mately. All girls do, poor things. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (sits l. c.) Boor Geoffrey. I 
suppose there's something wrong in the way we 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 43 

bring boys up. WUeu they reach mauh.ood they 
seem quite uuable to distinguish between the right 
sort of woman and — the other sort. A pretty face 
and they're caught at once. It's only after they've 
lived for a few years in the world and got soiled 
and hardened — got what we call experience in 
fact — that they even begin to understand the dif- 
ference. 

Lady March mont. You ought to have sent 
Geoffrey to a public school. His father ought to 
have insisted on it. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Poor Charley died when Geoff 
■was only twelve. And when I was left alone 1 
couldn't make up my mind to i)art with him. Be- 
sides I hate the way public-schoolboys look on 
women. 

Lady March mont. Still it's a safe-guard. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {siyJis) Perhaps it is. {pause. 
Mrs. Cassilis looJcs utterly depressed) 

Lady March mont. My dear Adelaide don't 
look like that. You frighten me. 

Mrs. Cassilis. What's the matter? 

Lady March mont. Y^our face looked abso- 
lutely grey! Didn't you sleep last night? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Not very much, {trying to 
smile) Has my hair gone grey too? 

Lady March mont. Of course not. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I feared it might. 

Lady Marchmont. You poor dear! {pause 
goes to her) 

Mrs. Cassilis. I am pretty still am I not, Mar- 
garet ? 

Lady Marchmont. My dear you look perfectly 



44 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

sweet as you always do. Only there arc oue or 
two little lilies I hadn't uotieed before. But your 
liair's lovely. 

Mits. Cassilis. I'm glad of that. I shall need 
all my looks now — for Geoffrey's sake. 

Lady Makciimont. Geoffrey's? {sits on arm 
of chair c.) 

^Fus. Cassilis. Looks mean so miieh to a man, 
don't they? And he has always admired me. 
Now I shall want him to admire me more than 
ever. 

Lady Makciimont. Why dear? 

Mijs. Cassilis. Because 1 have a rival. 

Lady Mauchmon't. This detestable girl? 

Mus. Cassilis. (nods) Yes. 

Lady Makciimont. My dear Adelaide, isn't it 
too late now? 

Mks. Cassilis. Too late? Why the time has 
scarcely begun. At present Geoffrey is over head 
and ears in love with her. AVhile that goes on we 
can do nothing. But it W'on't last. 

Lady Makchmont. Won't it? 

Mrs. Cassilis. No. That kind of love never 
does. It dies because it is a thing of the senses 
only. It has no foundation in reason, in common 
tastes, common interests, common associations. 
So it dies. My place is by its death bed. 

Lady Makciimont. That sounds rather ghoul- 
ish. 

Mrs. Cassilis. It is. 

Lady' Makciimont. Are yon going to do any- 
thing to hasten its demise? 

Mrs. Cassilis. (quite jiracticaUij) Oh yes. In 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 45 

the first place they're to stay here for a long visit. 
I waut them to feel thoroughly at home, ^'ulgar 
people are so much more vulgar when they feel 
at home, aren't they. 

Lady MARCiiiioxx. You can hardly expect any 
change in that direction from 3Irs. Borridge. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I suppose not. Then I shall 
ask lots of people to meet them. Oh lots of peo- 
ple. So that Geoffrey may have the benefit of the 
contrast. I've asked Mabel to stay by the way — 
for a week — to help to entertain dear Ethel. 
When those two are together it should open 
Geoffrey's eyes more than anything. 

Lady Marchmont. Love is blind. 

Mrs. Cassilis. It sees a great deal better than 
it used to do, dear. Far better than it did when 
we were joung people. 

Lady Marchmoxt. Anything else? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Not at the moment. Yes, by 
the waj'. There's Major Warrington. 

Lady Marchmoxt. You're not really going to 
consult that dissipated wretch? 

Mrs. Cassilis. I would consult the Witch of 
Endor if I thought she could help me — and if I 
knew her address. Oh I am prepared to go any 
lengths. I wonder if he would elope with her for 
a consideration? 

Lady March moxt. (sliocl^cd) Adelaide you 
wouldn't do that. It would be dreadful. Think 
of the scandal. 

Mrs. Cassilis. My dear if she would elope with 
Watson I'd raise his wages, (rises) 

Lady Marchmoxt. Adelaide! 



46 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. Cassilis. 1 would. Ali Mar^ai-cl you've 
no cliildrcii. Vou don't know liow it locls to sec 
jour sou wrecUinj;' liis life and not be able lo jn-e- 
vent it. 1 love niv son better than anytliin<; else 
in tlie whole world. Thei-e is nothin<>; 1 wouldn't 
do to save liiin. That is how mothers are made. 
That's what we're for. 

L.vDY il.MtciiMONT. { s1 i (/lit sltnif/) Poor j^irl ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. {vcJKni<n(1i/) You're not to 
pity her, ;Mar<j;aret. I forbid you. She tried to 
steal away' my son. 

Lady Makciimont. Still .... 

Mrs. Cassilis. {linpaticntltj) Marj;aret don't 
be sentimental. The girl's not in love with (Jeof- 
fi'ey. Anyone can see that. She's in love with his 
l)osition and his mone}', the money he will have 
some day. She doesn't really care two straws for 
him. It was a traj), a trap from the beginning, 
and poor Geoff blundered into it. 

Lady Marchmont. She couldn't make the om- 
nibus horse fall down ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. No. That was chance. lint 
after that she set herself to catch him, and her 
mother egged her on no doubt and taught her how 
to play her fish. And you pity her! 

Lady Marchmont. {soothin<ilij) 1 don't 
really. At least I did for a moment. I>ut 1 sup- 
pose you're right. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Of course I'm right. I'm Geof- 
frey's mother. Who should know if I don't? 
Mothers have eyes. If she really cai'cd for him I 
should know. I might try to blind myself but 1 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 47 

should l-noic. But she doesn't. And she sha'n't 
marry him. She sha'u't! 

Lady March mont. My dear don't glare at me 
like that. Vm not trying to make the match. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Was I glaring? 

Lady March mont. You looked rather tigerish. 
(Mrs. Cassilis (jives short laugh, pause) By the 
way as she is not to be your daughter-in-law is it 
necessary to be quite so affectionate to her all the 
time? It rather gets on my nerves. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {crosses l.) It is absolutely 
necessary. If there were any coolness between us 
the girl would be on her guard and Geoffrey 
would take her side, (l.) That would be fatal. 
(coming l. c.) Geoffrey must never know how I 
feel towards her. No ! When this engagement is 
broken off I shall kiss her affectionately at part- 
ing and when the carriage comes round I shall 
shed tears. 

Lady March mont. Why? 

Mrs. Cassilis. ( l. c.) Because otherwise it 
would make a division between Geoffrey and me. 
And I couldn't bear that. I must keep his love 
whatever happens, (crosses r.) And if I have to 
deceive him a little to keep it, isn't that what we 
women always have to do? (sits r.) In fact I 
shall have to deceive everybody except you, Lady 
Remenham, Mrs. Herries, the whole county. If 
they once knew they would be sure to talk. Lady 
Remenham never does anything else, does she? 
And later on, when the engagement was all over 
and done with, Geoffrey would get to hear of it 
and he'd never forgive me. 



48 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Lady March moxt. My dear, your uuscrupu- 
loiisiiess a{)i)iills me. (Mus. (\\ssilis shrugs im- 
patiently) Well, it's uot very nice, you must ad- 
mit. 

Mrs. Cas.silis. {exasperated) Nice I of course 
it's not nice! (Jood Heavens, Margaret you don't 
suppose I like doing this sort of thing, do you? I 
do il because I must, because it's the only way to 
save Geoffrey. If (ieoffrey married her, he'd be 
miserable, and I w(m't have that. Of course it 
would 1k» plcasanter to be i)erl'ectly straightfor- 
ward and tell the girl 1 detest her but if I did 
she'd marry (leolT if only to spite me. So I must 
trap her as she has trapped him. It's not a nice 
game but it's the only possible one. Yes, I must 
bo on the ])est of terms with Ethel. And you must 
make friends with that appalling mother. 

Lady Marciimoxt. A^o^ Adelaide! I refuse! 

Mrs. Cassilis. {crosses to Iter, lifts her up) 
You must. You must, {fakes her two hands and 
looks into her eyes) 

Lady March mont. Very w^ell. I'll do my best. 
(]Mrs. C'assilis fjoes up r. c.) But I sha'u't come 
down to breakfast! There are limits to my endur- 
ance. And I do so hate breafasling in my room. 
The crumbs always get into my bod. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Never mind. When we've won 
you shall share the glory. 

Lady Marchmont. You are going to win? 

Mrs. Cassilis. (nods) I am going to win. 
(cowing dotcn c. a little) I've no doubt whatever 
about that. I've brains and she hasn't. And 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 49 

braius always tell iu the end. Besides she did 
something this morning which made me sure that 
I should win. 

Lady Marchmont. She didn't eat with her 
knife? 

Mrs. Cassilis. {sits on end of chair c.) No. 
She yaicned. 

Lady Marchmont. Yawned? 

Mrs, Cassilis. Yes. Three times. When I saw 
that I knew that I should win. 

Lady Marchmont. My dear Adelaide what do 
you mean? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Girls like that can't endure 
boredom. They're used to excitement, the vulgar 
excitement of Bohemian life in London. Theatres, 
supper parties, plenty of fast society. She owned 
as much this morning. Well down here she shall 
be dull, oh how dull! I will see to that. The 
curate shall come to dinner. And old Lady Bel- 
lairs with her tracts and her trumpet. I've ar- 
ranged that it shall be a lonr/ engagement. She 
shall yawn to some purpose before it's over. And 
when she's bored she'll get cros:;. You'll see. 
She'll begin to quarrel with her mother and nag 
at Geoffrey — at everyone in fact except me. / 
shall be too sweet to her for that ! And that will 
be the beginning of the end. 

Lady Marchmont. Well dear I think your 
plan diabolical but your courage is perfectly 
splendid and I love you for it. {rises, lays hand 
on her's) And now I'll go in and get ready for 
lunch, {they rise. She goes r. meets Butler and 
Mabel) 



50 THE CASSILIS ENGAOEMENT. 

BuTLKR. (shon-iiKj in Mai-.ki, in ridinf/ hahit) 
Lady Mabel Veniiiiif;. 

Mrs, Cassilis. {rising) Ah, Mabel dear, how- 
are jou. (Jxifiscs Jicr) You've ridden over? But 
you're going to stay here you know. Haven't you 
brought your things? 

Maiuol. Mamma is sending them after me. It 
was such a perfect morning for a ride. How do 
you do, Lady Marchmont. 

Mrs. Cassilis. That's right. Watson tell them 
to take Lady Mabel's horse round to the staldes. 
She will keep it here while she is with us. Then 
you'll be able to ride every day with (Jeoffrey. 
(to Lady Marciimoxt) Poor Ethel doesn't ride. 
Isn't it unfortunate. 

Lady Marchmont. Very! 

Mrs. Cassilis. (sits l. c.) She and Geoffrey 
are down at the strawberry bed spoiling their ap- 
petites for luncheon. Would you like to join 
them ? 

Mabel. I think not thanks. It's rather hot 
isn't it. (couics io c.) I tliink I'd rather stay 
here with you. 

Mrs. Cassilis. As you please, dear. 

^fAP.EL. (.S//.S) Oh before I forget, Mamma 
asked me to tell you she telegraphed to Uncle 
Algernon yesterday and he's coming down next 
Wednesday. She had a letter from him this 
morning by the second post. It came just before 
I started. Such a funny letter. ^lamma asked 
me to bring it to you to read, (f/ircfi Jrtter, sits 
c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. {taking it) "My dear Julia: 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 51 

I am at a loss to uuderstand to what I owe the 
hoDor of an invitation to Milverton. I thought 
I had forfeited all claim to it forever. I can only 
sui)pose you have at last found an heiress to 
marry me. If this is so I may as well say at once 
that unless she is both extremely rich and ex- 
tremely pretty I shall decline to entertain her pro- 
posal. My experience is that that is a somewhat 
unusual combination. I will be with you next 
Wednesday. Your affectionate brother, A, L. 
Warrington." {giving hack letter) That's right 
then. And now I think I'll just go down into 
the garden and tell Geoffrey you're here. No 
don't come too. You stay and entertain Mar- 
garet, {exit L. to strawherry bed) 

Lady Marchmont. Dear ^lajor Warrington. 
He always was the most delightfully witty wicked 
creature. I'm so glad he's coming while I'm here. 
Adelaide must be sure and ask him over. 

Mabel. Uncle Algernon is coming over to dine 
this day week — with mamma. 

Lady Marchmont. To be sure. I remember. 

{Enter Geoffrey quickly l.) 

Geoffrey. Hallo, Mabel. How do you do. I 
didn't know you were here. 

Mabel. Mrs. Cassilis has just gone to tell you. 

Geoffrey. I know. She met us as we were 
coming back from eating strawberries. We've 
been perfect pigs. She and Ethel will be here in 
a moment. I ran on ahead. 

Lady Marchmont. {rising) Well it's close on 
lunch time, I shall go in and get ready, {exit r.) 



52 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

{Pause.) 
Geoffrey. You rode over? 

{Sitthifj on arm of chair l. c.)' 

Maf.el. Yes, on Basil. He really is the sweet- 
est thin<j. I like him much better than Hector. 

(Jeoffuey. lV)or old Hector, {sits R.) He's 
not so j^oung as he was. 

Mabel. No. {a pause) 

Geoffrey. Mabel, there's something I want to 
ask you. 

]\Iahel. Is there? 

Geoffrey. Yes. But I don't know how to say 
it. {pause) 

Mai'.el. {(/rarclij) Perhaps you'd better not 
try then? 

Geoffrey. 1 must. 1 feel I ought. H's about 
something Aunt Margaret said yesterday. . . . 
IMabel did you ever . . . did I ever . . . 
did 1 ever do anything to make you think I 
. . . I was going to ask you to marry me? 

Mabel. No, Geotf. 

Geoffrey. Sure ? 

Mabel. Quite sure. 

Geoffrey. I'm glad. 

Mabel. Why, Geoff? 

Geoffrey. Because from what Aunt Margaret 
said I was afraid without intending it I'd . . . 
I — hadn't been quite honourable, {rises) 

^Iabel. You have always been everything that 
is honourable, Geoff. And everything that is 
kind. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 53 

Geoffrey. Thank you, Mabel. You're a brick 
you know. And we shall always be friends, sha'n't 
we? 

Mabel. Always, (rises) 

Geoffrey. And you'll be friends with Ethel 
too? 

Mabel. If she'll let me. 

Geoffrey. Of course she'll let you. She's the 
dearest girl. She's ready to be friends with every- 
body. And she'll ?orc you I know. You promise? 
(holds out hand) 

Mabel, {takes it) I promise. 

(Enter Mrs. Cassilis and Ethel affectionately, 
>' arm in arm, l. from garden.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Not gone in to get ready yet, 
Mabel? 

Mabel. No. Lady Marchmont only went a 
minute ago. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (to Ethel) You've not met 
Mabel yet have you? I must introduce you. Miss 
Borridge — Lady Mabel Yenning. (stveetly) I 
want you two to be great friends! (they shake 
hands, curtain hegins to fall) And now come in 
and get ready for luncheon, (they all move to- 
wards ho use, R.) 

Curtain. 




-^^ 



S4 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 



ACT ITT. 

Scene. — The smoking room at Drijnham. A week 
has elapsed. A door u. c. leads to liiUiard 
room, ^^hen it is open one can sec passage tcell- 
lighted. It is closed when curtain rises. Fire- 
place L. has good pre in it and is large and cosij. 
Saddle-hag or leather chairs, sofa, etc. A man- 
nish, comfortable room. Cigars, cigarettes, etc. 
Writing table c. Piano up l. c. Window he 
hind it. Door from hall up u. Piano, a small 
grand so that player can he seen hg audience, 
and singing can he heard to full advantage, 
Stand icith music by its side. A small table 
below fireplace l. Sofa r. below door, some dis- 
tance out from ivall, set diagonally so that peo- 
ple sitting on it face towards piano. Immedi- 
ately before piano two armchairs with table be- 
tween them. Ttvo armchairs, one on either side 
of fireplace. Card table n. helou: fireplace be- 
tween armchair and wall. Paper-knife (break- 
able) on writing table c, also writing tnateriaU, 
ink, etc. Electric hell by fireplace l. Another 
by door rt. w/). The stage is empty when curtain 
rises. Then enter r. Geoffrey f<dlowed a 
moment lat< r by Major Warrington. 

Geoffrey, {entering k., going to door c. and 
looking through) All right, Wan-iugton. 
They've lighted the lamps. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 55 

Warrington, [enters r.) Good. 

Geoffrey, {at door c.) How many will you 
give me? 

Warrington, (crossing to fireplace l.) Oh, 
hang billiards. I'm not up to a game to-night. 
That was only an excuse to get away from the 
women. I believe that's why games were invented. 
But if you could get me a whisky and soda I 
should be your eternal debtor. Julia kept such an 
infernally strict watch on me all the evening I 
never got more than a glass and a half of cham- 
pagne. A fellow can't get along on that, can he? 

Geoffrey. I'll ring, {(jocs l. and rings hell 
above fireplace) 

Warrington. Do. There's a good fellow. 
(Geoffrey rings) Every man requires a certain 
amount of liquid per day. I've seen the statistics 
in the "■ Lancet." But Julia never reads the 
'' Lancet." Women never do read anything I be- 
lieve. 

Geoffrey. Have another cigar? 

Warrington. Thanks. I don't mind if I do. 
(takes one and lights it) Aren't you going to? 

Geoffrey, (who lools seedy and distrait) 
no, thanks, (enter Footman r., icith irJiiskg and 
soda) Whisky and soda, James. 

Footman. Yes, sir. (puts it on small fahle r.) 

Warrington. Off your smoke? (crosses to 
sofa R.) 

GoEFFREY. Yes. (pouring wMsJcy) Say when. 

Warrington. When, [tal-es soda) You not 
going to have one? (crosses r. c.) 

Geoffrey. No. 



56 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Warrington. Oil' your drink? 

Geoffrey. Yes. 

Warrington. That's bad. What's the mat- 
ter? {sits c.) 

Geoffrey. Oh nothing. I'm a bit out of sorts 
I suppose. 

(Pause.) 

Warrington. ITow well .your mother looks to- 
night, by the way I Jove what a pretty woman 
she is! 

Geoffrey. Dear mother. 

Warrington. {drinTis) How does she like 
this marriage of yours? 

Geoffrey. All right. 

Warrington, Ah. Bites on the bullet. No 
offence my dear fellow. I like her pluck. 

Geoffrey, {exasperated, rises, crosses l.) I 
assure you you're mistaken. My mother's been 
kindness itself over my engagement. She's never 
said a word against it from the first. I believe 
she's the only person in this infernal county who 
hasn't. 

Warrington. Except myself. 

Geoffrey. Excejtt yourself. And you think 
me a thundering young fool. 

Warrington. Oh no. 

Geoffrey. Oh yes. T could see you looking 
curiously at me all through dinner — when you 
weren't eating — as if I were some strange beast. 
You think I'm a fool right enough. 

Warrington, (on sofa r.) Not at all. !Misg 
Borridge is a very pretty girl, very bright, veiy 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 57 

amusin'. I sat next her at dinner, you know. 
Not quite the sort one marries, perhaps — as a 
rule 

Geoffrey. What do you mean? 

Warrington, (shrugs) Anyhow you- re going 
to marry her. So much the better for her. What 
amuses me is your bringing her old reprobate of a 
mother down here. The cheek of it quite takes 
away my breath. 

Geoffrey, (sifs c.) What's the matter with 
her mother? She's common, of course, and over- 
eats herself, but lots of people do that. And she's 
good natured. That's more than some women 
are. 

Warrington. Still she's scarcely the sort one 
introduces to one's mother, eh? But I'm old- 
fashioned, no doubt. There's no saying what you 
young fellows will do. Your code is peculiarly 
your own. [another ivhisky and soda) 

Geoffrey. (rises) Look here, Warrington, 
what do you mean? 

Warrington, (easily) Want to hit me in the 
eye, don't you? / know. Very natural feeling. 
Lots of people have it. 

Geoffrey. [irritahly) Why shouldn't I 
introduce her to my mother? 

Warrington. Well she's a disreputable old 
woman, you know. She lived with Borridge for 
years before he married her. The other daugh- 
ter's — (shrugs shoulders) And then to bring her 
down here and introduce her to Julia! Gad, I 
like your humour. 

Geoffrey. Are vou sure? 



58 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Warrington. Sure? Why it's common knowl- 
edge. Everybody knows old Borridge and most 
people loathe her. (Geoffrey yocs to fire l.) I 
don't. I rather like her in a way. She's so splen- 
didly vulgar. Flings her aitches about with reck- 
less indifference. And I like her affection for that 
girl. She's really fond of Iter. So much the 
worse for you by the way. You'll never be able 
to keep them a])art. 

Geoffrey, {at fire l.) Why should I want to 
keep them apart? 

Warrington. Why should you — ? (di^inli's) 
Oh well, my dear chap, if you're satisfied — 

Geoffrey, (low voice) Her sister. . . . ! 
Poor Ethel ! Poor Ethel ! 

Warrington, {crosses l. with glass) My dear 
chap don't be so down in the mouth. There's no 
use fretting. I'd no idea you were so comi)letely 
in the dark about all this or I wouldn't have told 
you. Cheer up. {to table l. c. vith (/lass) 

Geoffrey. I'm glad you told me. 

Warrington. To think you've l)een engaged 
all this time and never found it out. What amaz- 
ing innocence ! Ha ! Ha ! ... Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! 

Geoffrey. Don't! {sits down l. on armchair) 

Warrington. Sorry, my dear boy. But it's 
so devilish amusing. 

Geoffrey, (sits hclow fire) How blind I've 
been ! How utterly blind ! 

Warrington, {drinks) Well, I rather like 
a chap who's a bit of an ass myself. 

(Jeoffrey. Poor mother! 

Warrington. Doesn't she know? Not about 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT 59 

old Borridge? (Geoffrey shakes his head) She 
must! Women always do. They have an instinct 
about these things which is simply uncanny. It's 
often highly inconvenient too by the way. She 
probably says nothing on your account. 

Geoffrey. Perhaps so. Or Ethel's. She's 
been wonderfully kind to Ethel ever since she 
came down. Perhaps that's the reason, (rises) 
After all it's not Ethel's fault. 

Warrington. Of course not. (rises goes to 
hlni) Well here's luck my dear boy and I won't 
say may you never repent it, but may you put off 
repenting it as long as possible. That's the best 
one can hope of most marriages. 

Geoffrey. Thanks! 

Warrington. Well iCs been an uncommon 
amusin' evening. Mrs. Herries' face has been a 
study for a lifetime. And as for Julia's — oh out- 
raged respectability! Wl>at a joy it is! 

(Enter the other guests from (IrdH'ing-room r. 
Lady Remenham, Lady Marchmont^ Mrs. Her- 
ries, Mrs. Borridge, Ethel, Mabel. Then the 
Rector and Mrs. Cassilis. They enter tvith a 
hum of conversation.) 

Rector, (crosses l.) Well, he's a disreputable 
poaching fellow. It's no more than he deserved. 
Mrs. Cassilis. (crosses to fir-e l., sits 'below on 
armchair) Still I'm sorry for his wife. 

Mrs. Herries. I'll send down to her in the 
morning and see if she wants anything. 

Mrs. Borridge. So this is where you gentlemen 
have got to. 



60 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Geoffrey. I brought Major Wurrington io 
smoke a cigar. 

Lady Keme.niiam. (u. c, looks fi.vciUy at 
whisJci/, then at Warrington) Algernon I 

AVaurintjtox. (l.) Afy dear Julia, I believe 
there is nothing unusual in a man's requiring one 
whisky and soda at this time in the evening. 

Lady Remeniiam. I trust it has been only one. 
{sits on sofa n., WAUuiNMiTON finishes (jlass and 
puts it ilon-n e. o/j. ni(inl(lj)ircr) 

■^^^\UKl^•(;^().N. AVhoiii have you been sending to 
jail for poaehing now, Iteetor? No Justice's jus- 
tice I hope ! 

Rector. Old Murcatt. He's one of ^Irs. 
Cassilis's tenants. A most unsatisfactory fellow. 
He was caught red-handed laying a snare in the 
Milverton woods. It was a clear case. (IvniEE 
stlfics a yaim, Warrington rises goes to stand at 
piano) 

Ethel, (np c.) I should have thought there 
was no great harm in that. 

Rector. My dear young lady ! 

■Mrs. Cassilis. Take care, Ethel dear. An 
Englishman's hares are sacred. 

Mrs. Borriuge. (crosses l. c.) How silly! I 
can't bear 'are myself, {crosses l. c, sits) 

(Pause.) 

Rector, (at fire) You'll have plenty of part- 
ridges this year Mrs. Cassilis. We started five 
coveys as we drove here. 

Mrs. Cassilis. We generally have a good 
many. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 61 

{Pause.) 

(Ethel stifling another yawn strolls to piano, 
opens it and strikes a note or two idly.) 

Mabel. You play I know, Ethel. Won't you 
play something? 

Ethel, {sulkily) No. (turns away, crosses 
down l. to fire) 

{Pause.) 

Mrs. Herries. I saw you out riding to-day, 
Mabel. T looked in at Dobson's cottage. Poor 
fellow, I'm afraid he's very ill. 

■Map.el. (comes c, sits) Yes. I was with 
Geoffrey. We had a long ride, all through Lower 
Milverton and Carbury to Mirstoke. It was de- 
lightful. 

Mrs. lioRRiDOR. (to IMrs. Herries) Your hus- 
band has a lot of that sort of thing to do down 
here, T suppose, Mrs. 'Erris? 

Mrs. ITerries. When peo])]e are ill they gen- 
erally like a visit from a clergyman, don't they? 

Mrs. Borridge. Well there's no accounting for 
tastes. My 'usband, when he was ill wouldn't 
'ave a parson near 'im. Said it gave 'im the 
creeps. 

{Pause. Warrington crosses at hack to r.) 

Lady March mont. (crosses to fire, coming to 
rescue) How sensible of you to have a fire, Ade- 
laide. 

Mrs. Cassilis. It is pleasant, isn't it? Tlu^se 
July evenings are often cold in the country. 



62 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

(Etiiicl s(i/lcs prodigioufi yairn) 

Geoffrky. (rises, crosses at haek to piano) 
Tired, Ethel? 

Ethel, ipettishhj) No. (turns airaij) 

(Pause.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. (l.) Won't somebody play 
billiards? Are the lamps lighted, Geoffrey? 

Geoffrey. Yes, mother. 

Mrs. Oassilis. f)r shall we play Pyramids? 
Then we can all join in. Vof/'ll play. Mrs. P»or- 
ridge, I'm sure? 

Mrs. Borridge. I'm on. 

Mrs. Cassilis. You, Lady Renienliam? 
(crosses r. c.) 

Lady Kemexiiam. (rises, crosses l.) No, 
thanks. JMrs. Ilerries and I are going to stay by 
the fire and talk about the Rector's last sermon. 
[the Rector raises hands in horror) 

Mrs. Cassilis. (crosses r.) You, ^fargaret? 

Lady March mont. No, really. I've never 
played Pyramids in my life. 

Mrs. I>orkid(;e. (comiiuj c.) Then it's 'igh 
time you began, Lady Marchmont. VW teach 
you. (Rector at fire) 

(Mrs. Cassilis looks entreaty. Lady March- 
mont smiles.) 

Lady Marchmont. (rises, coming c.) Very 
well, (to Mrs. P.orridoe) To jtlease you, dear 
Mrs. Borridge! (E.rit, Lady Remenham sits in 
armchair ahore fire l.) 



THE CASSILIS ENGAaEMENT. 63 

Mrs. Cassilis. You, Mabel? That's three. 
(Mabel and Lady March mont go off c. together) 
Ethel four. 

Ethel. No thank jou, Mrs. Cassilis. I won't 
play, {coming l. c.) 

"SUia. BouRiDGE. Why not, Eth. You're a 
nailer at Pyramids. 

Ethel, {pettiahhi, going doirn R.) Because 
Ed rather not, mother, {turns away) 

jilKs. E.oRRiDGE. All right, dearie. You needn't 
snaj) my nose off. {crit c.) 

Mrs. CasSilis. Geoffrey Five. The Kector six. 
{going up r. c.) 

Rector, ^'ery well, if you won't play for 
money. Eve no conscientious objections to play- 
uifT for money but whenever I do it I always lose. 
Which comes to the same thing, (exit c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. (up R. c) You, Major War- 
rington, of course? 

Warrington, ((lown r. cross to l. c. np, laugh- 
ing) No thanks. I shall stay here and tlirt with 
Mrs. Ilerries. 

Mrs. Cassilis. (up l. c.) Very well. How 
many did I say? Six wasn't it. And myself 
seven. Coming Geoff? 

Geoffrey. All right, mother. (Mrs. Cassilis 
takes his arm and leads him off c) 

Lady Remexham. Now Mrs. Herries draw up 
that chair to the tire and we'll talk scandal. 

Warrington, (cross to fireplace, l.) The Rec- 
tor's sermon Julia! {takes glass puts it hack 
again) 

Lady Remenham. Algernon! {he stops dead) 



64 THE CASSFLIS ENGAGEMENT. 

{The tico ludk'.s pluHfjc into conrcrsation before 
fireplace r, Ethkl is strolliny aimlessly about. 
Prcsentljj she goes to irriting table c. sits down 
facing audience and fidgets with jmperknife. 
Yawns heartily.) 

Warrington, (going to Jier) liored, Miss 
Boiridge? 

Ethel. I wondor. 

Warrington, (sits at tabic r. of table c.) 
I don't, (she laughs) Life isn't vcrv lively down 
here till the shooting begins. 

Ethel. I don"t shoot. So I'm afraid that 
won't liolj) me nmch. 

\Varrington. I reiHcinber. Nor ride, T think 
yon told me? 

Ethel, (yawns) Nor ride. 

Warrington. Gad. Em sorry for yon. 

I']thel. {looking curiously at him) I believe 
yon really are. 

Warrington. Of coni-se T am. 

Ethkl. I don't know abont " of conrse." Ex- 
cept for Mrs. Cassilis — and ])oor OeofT — who 
doesn't connt — T don't find nnnli sympathy in 
this part of the country. Heigho! Uow they 
hate me. 

Warrington. No. No. 

(Mrs. Herries gets table and cards from doicn 
R. puts table before fire between herself and 
Lady Remenham.) 

Ethel. Oh yes they do. Every one of ihem. 
From Watson who pours out !ny claret at dinner 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 65 

and would dearly love to poisoD it to your sister 
who is glaring at us at this uioiuent. 

Warrington. {looJxing up and laughing) 
Dear Julia. She never had any manners. 

Ethel. She's no worse than the rest. Mrs. 
Herries would do just the same if she dared. As 
for Mabel — 

(Mrs. Herries and Lady Remenham playing 
their cards.) 

Warrington. Don't hit it ofif with Mabel? 

Ethel. Oh we don't quarrel if that's what you 
mean or call one another names across the table. 
I wish we did. I could beat her at that. We're 
as civil as the Devil, {he laughs) What arc you 
laughing at? 

Warrington. Only at the picturesqueness of 
your language. 

Ethel. Is that all? Yes Mabel despises me 
and I hate her. 

Warrington. Why? 

Ethel, {ivearily) Because we're different I 
suppose. She's everj^thing I'm not. She's well- 
born and well-bred. Her father's an earl. Mine 
was a book-maker. 

Warrington. Is that all? 

Ethel, (hitterly) No. She's running after 
Geoffrey. (Warrington shrugs) She is! 

Warrington, {shrugs) Jealous? 

Ethel. Yes, I am jealous. Little beast. 
(picks up flimsy paper-knife) I'd like to kill her. 
{makes savage jab with knife. It promptly 
breaks) 



I 



66 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Warrington, {falin;/ aird}/ pieces) Don't be 
violent, {tdkrs pieces and ((inics them blandly 
to fire. I"]tiiel stare.s straight in front of her) 

(Lady Remknham and ^NIus. IIkkiues hare been 
talking in danih-fshoio. Their eonrermtion sud- 
denly yroics audihlc.) 

Lady Remexiiam. [to ^Trs. TTerries) Snch a 
common little thing too! And / don't even call 
her pretty. 

Mrs. ITerries. It's cnrions liow Mrs. Cassilis 
seems to have taken to her. 

Lady Remenham. Yes. She even tolerates 
that awful mother. (Warrix(;ton crosses l.^ ir- 
ritahly) What /,s it, Algernon? 

Warrington, (blandly) Only a little acci- 
dent with a paper-knife. (Lady Remenham 
grunts. ^^'ARRIXGTo^' returns to Ethel c.) 

Mrs. Herries. For Geoffrey's sake of course. 
She's so devoted to him. 

Lady Remexham. It may be that. Fm in- 
clined to think her mind has given way a little. 
I asked her about it last week, [half-way throuyh 
this scene the tico ladies notice that the others 
are no longer speaking and drop their voices to a 
stage aside. Ethel glares) 

Warrington, (returning to Ethel, sits above 
her on settee. Lady' Remexham and ]\Irs. Her- 
Ris resume talk in dumb show) You were going 
to tell me what makes you think Mabel is in love 
with Geoffrey. 

Ethel. Was T? 

Warrixgtox. Weren't vou? 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 67 

Ethel. Well, perhaps I will. 

Warrington. Go ahead. 

Ethel. She's staying here aud they're always 
together. They ride almost every morning. I 
can't ride, you know. And Geoffrey loves it. 

Warrington. You should take to it. 

Ethel. I did try one day. They were just 
starting when I suddenly said I'd like to go with 
them. 

Warrington, (eyebrows up) W^hat did they 
say to that? 

Ethel. Oh Mabel pretended to be as pleased 
as possible. She lent me an old habit and Geoff 
said they'd let me have a horse that was as quiet 
as a lamb. Horrid kicking beast! 

Warrington. What horse was it? 

Ethel. It was called Jasmine or some such 
name. 

Warrington. Mrs. Cassilis's mare? Why, my 
dear girl she hasn't a kick in her. 

Ethel. Hasn't she! . . . Anyhow we started. 
So long as we walked it was all right and I began 
to think I might actually get to like it. But soon 
"we began to trot — and that was awful. I simply 
screamed. The beast stopped at once. But I 
went on screaming till they got me off. 

Warrington. What did Geoff say? 

Ethel. Nothing. But he looked terrible. Oh 
how he despised me! 

Warrington. Poor girl. 

Ethel. They brought me back, walking all the 
way. And Geoff offered to give up riding in the 
mornings if I liked. (Warrington whistles) 



68 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

But of course I had to say no. So now they go 
out tojiother every day and often don't come back 
till lunch. 

Warrington, {goes to r. end of writing table 
sits) And what do ijuii do? 

Ethel. (Hhriigs) I sit at home and yawn and 
yawn, (docs so) Mrs. Cassilis takes me out driv- 
ing sometimes. She does what she can to amuse 
me. But of course she's busy in the mornings. 

Warrington. What does Mrs. Borridge do? 

Ethel. Oh Lady ^Mardimont looks after her. 
I believe she gets a kind of i)leasure in leading her 
on and watching her make a fool of herself. Old 
cat! And mother sees nothing. She's as pleased 
with herself as possible. She actually made Lady 
Marchmont promise to come and stay with us in 
London ! 

Warrington. Bravo Mrs. Borridge! 

Ethel. So I sit here or in the drawing room 
with a book or the newspaper and I'm bored! 
bored ! 

WarrIxNgton. And Geoffrey? 

Ethel. He doesn't seem to notice. If I say 
anything to him about it he just says I'm not 
well! He's very kind and tries to find things to 
amuse me but it's a strain. And so it goes on 
day after day. Heigho! 

Warrington, (goes to her sits r. c.) (pause) 
Well my dear I admire your courage. 

Ethel. What do you mean? 

Warrington. A lifetime of this! Year in year 
out. Till you can yaw^n yourself decently into 
your grave. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 69 

Ethel, (alarmed) But it won't always be 
like this. We sha'n't live here, Geofif and I. 

Warrington. Oh yes you will. Mrs. Cassilis 
was talking only at dinner of the little house she 
was going to furnish for you both down here, just 
on the edge of the Park. So that you could al- 
ways be near her. 

Ethel. But Geoff has his profession. 

Warrington. His profession is only a name. 
He makes nothing at it. And never will. Geof- 
frey's profession is to be a country gentleman and 
shoot pheasants. 

Ethel. But we shall have a house in London 
as well. 

Warrington. Not you. As long as his mother 
lives Geoffrey will be dependent on her you know. 
He has nothing worth calling an income of his 
own. And he's proud. He won't accept more 
from her than he's obliged even if her trustees 
would allow her to hand over anything sub- 
tantial to him on his marriage — which they 
v/ouldu't. 

Ethel. I shall refuse to live down here. 

Warrington. My dear you won't be asked. 
You'll have to live where Mrs. Cassilis provides a 
house for you. Besides Geoff will prefer it. He 
likes the country and he's devoted to his mother. 

Ethel. Phew, (rises crosses c.) 

Warrington, Happily it won't last forever. I 
daresay you'll have killed poor Mrs. Cassilis off 
in a dozen years or so. Though you never know 
how long people will last nowadays by the way. 
These modern doctors are the devil. 



70 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

l^-iHKL. Kill her off? What do you mean? I 
don't want to kill Mrs. Cassilis. I like her. 

Wahrixuton. [rises goes to her sits on writing 
table) My dear young lady yon don't suppose 
you'll be able to stand this sort of thing do you? 
Oh no. You'll kick over the traces and there'll be 
no end of a scandal and Geoff'll blo\y his brains 
out — if he's got any — and she'll break her heart 
and that'll be the end of it. 

Ethel. It won't, {sits l. of writing table) 

Warrington. Oh yes it will. You don't know 
what County Society is. The dullness of it! 
Uow it eats into jour bones. / do. 

Ethel. Does it bore yon too? 

Warrington. Bore? It bores me to tears! 
I'm not a bad lot really. At least no worse than 
most middle-aged bachelors. But Julia thinks 
me an utterly abandoned character and I take 
care not to undeceive her. Why? Because T find 
Milverton so intolerable. I used to come down 
every Christmas. One of those ghastly family re- 
unions. A sort of wake without the corpse. At 
last I couldn't stand it and did something per- 
fecdy outrageous. I forget what. But I know 
(he servants all gave warning. So now I'm sup- 
posed to be thoroughly disreputable and that ass 
Kemenham won't have me asked to the house. 
Thank Heaven for that. 

Ethel. But Geoff likes the country. 

Warrington. I daresay. But Geoffrey and I 
are different. So are Geoffrey and you. You and 
I are town birds. He's a country bumpkin. / 
know the breed ! 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 71 

Ethel. And I shall have to staud this all my 
life! All 1113' life! I won't! I won't! 

Warrington. You will ! 

Ethel. I won't I tell you! (Warrington 
shrugs) It's too sickening. (pause, eagerly, 
dropping her voice) I say let's go off to Paris, 
you and I, and leave all this. It'd be awful 
fun. 

Warrington, {appalled, looks nervously l.) 
Hush! Hush! For God's sake, Julia'll hear. 

Ethel. (lower voice) Never mind. What 
does it matter? Let's go. You'd enjoy it 
like anything. We'd have no end of a good 
time. 

Warrington, (desperately) My dear young 
lady haven't I just told you I'm not that sort at 
all. I'm a perfectly respectable person of rather 
austere morality than otherwise. 

Ethel. Rot! You'll come? {takes his arm) 

Warrington. No. I won't, (getting off table) 
I decline. I can't go off with the girl my host 
is going to marry. It wouldn't be decent. Be- 
sides, I don't want to go off with anybody. 

Ethel, (depressed) You won't? 

Warrington, (testily) No, I won't. And for 
goodness sake speak lower. Julia's listening with 
all her ears. 

Ethel. Poor Major Warrington. How I 
seared you ! 

Warrington. I should think you did. I'm not 
so 3'oung as I was. A few years ago a little thing 
like that nev'er made me turn a hair. Now I can't 
stand it. (wipes his brow) 



72 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Ethel. You've go no through it before, then? 
(AA'auuington sits.) 

Warrington. More tlian once, my dear. 

Ethel, {rises) And now you'll look down on 
me too. 

Waurixuton. On the contrary, I admire .you 
immensely. In fact, I don't know which T admire 
more, your pluck or your truly marvellous self- 
control. To ask me to go otl' with you without 
letting Julia hear! (loolinf/ anxiously toiranls 
her) It was masterly. 

Ethel, {sighs) Well, I suppose I shall have 
to marry Geoff after all. 

Warrington. I suppose so. Unless you could 
go off with the Rector? {she lauijhs shriUij). 
{The two ladies titni sharply and glare). 

Ethel. Now I've shocked your sister again. 

Warrington. You have. She thinks I'm flirt- 
ing with you. That means I sha'n't he asked 
down to Milverton for another five years. Thank 
Heaven for that! Ah, here are the billiard play- 
ers, {rises) 

{Goes doivn r. Ethel sits c.) 

Geoffrey, {opening door c, stands to let her 
pass. To Mabel) You fluked outrageously, you 
know. 

Mabel. {entering) I didn't. {coming to 
writing table.) 

Geoffrey. Oh, yes you did. Didn't she, 
mother? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Disgracefully, {stops np c.) 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 73 

{During this Mrs. Borridge, Lady Marchmont, 
Rector^ Mrs. Cassilis,, Mabbl^ enter , followed 
dy Geoffrey.) 

(Mabel c.;, Mrs. Cassilis goes to l. c. to chair 
down L.) 

Mrs. Borridge. {going down r. c.) You'll soon 
learn, Lady Marchmont, if you practice a bit. 

Lady Marchmont. Do you think so? {fol- 
lowing her down r., sits on sofa) 

Lady Remenham. Well, who won. Rector? 

Mrs. Borridge. / did! {crosses l. c.) 

Lady Remenham. {frigidly, rises, comes l. c. 
to Geoffrey) Indeed? {rises and goes towards 
c.) 

Mrs. Borridge. Why didn't you play, Mrs. 
'Erris? {at l. c.) 

Mrs. Herries. I never play games. 

Mrs. Borridge. You should learn. I'd teach 
you. 

Mrs. Herries. Thank you. I fear I have no 
time. {rises, goes up l. c. and joins Lady 
Remenham.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. (c. at hack) Ethel dear, we 
missed you sadly. I hope you haven't been dull? 

Ethel, {with hysterical laugh) Not at all. 
Major Warrington has been entertaining me. 

(Mrs. Cassilis crosses to Rector.) 

Rector. I suspect Miss Borridge felt there 

would be no opponent worthy of her steel. 

(Ethel shrugs her shoulders rudely. He turns 
away. ) 



74 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I wonder if we could have 
some music now. Mabel dear, won't you sing to 
us? 

Mabel. I've got nothing with me. 

Geoffrey. Do sing ^label. There'll be lots of 
things you know here. (Geoffrey opens the 
piano) Let me find something. Schumann? 

Mabel, (shakes head) 1 think not. (joins 
him in searching music stand.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Sing us that Schubert song you 
sang when we were dining with you last, dear. 
(goes to Rector.) 

Mabel, (rises) Very well, (goes to Geof- 
frey) Where's Schubert, Geoffrey? 

(Warrington ivorJcs round to chair c.) 

Ethel, (to Warrington) Do you see that? 
(watching Geoffrey's and Mabel's heads in close 
proximity, takes step forward. Warrington holds 
her hack.) 

Warrington. Hush. Be quiet for heaven's 
sake. 

Ethel. The little cat! 

Mabel. Here it is. Geoff, don't be silly. 
(turns to piano) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Can you see there? 

(Mabel on music stool. Geoffrey standing 
above piano l. c. Lady Remenham and Lady 
Marchmont on sofa r., Mrs. Borridge on chair 
R. c. heloiD piano, Mrs. Cassilis on chair l. c. 
"below piano. Mrs. Herriejs in armchair above 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 75 

fireplace l. Rector in armchair 'below fire- 
place. Ethel in chair c, Warrington in chair 
R. c. hy her.) 

Mabel. Yes, thank you. (she sings two verses 
of ^chuherVs " Adieu, '^ in German, very simply 
in a small hut sweet voice. Geoffrey stands hy 
listening. Ethel glares at hoth. When it is 
over Mabel rises at once and leaves piano.) 
{crosses, goes r. c. at hack.) 

{While Mabel sings, the hye play of the listeners 
is all important, Lady Remenham sits on sofa 
in attitude of seraphic appreciation of a daugh- 
ter's efforts. Mrs, Herries gently heats time 
with her fan. Lady March mont displays po- 
lite attention. Mrs. Cassilis is sweetly ap- 
preciative. Mrs. Borridge's face is, on the 
contrary, a study. She hegins hy settling her- 
self to listen quite contentedly. When she finds 
the song is in German, she looks puzzled and 
disgusted. Then she yawns frankly and fidgets. 
During the symphony, hctween the verses, she 
attempts to talk to Mrs. Cassilis, evidently 
thinking the song over. Mrs. Cassilis makes 
sign of silence gently. Verse two hegins, Mrs. 
Borridge more disgusted. A second yaivn. 
Then she franJdy nods, closes her eyes, her head 
droops forward, then sideways. She sleeps. 
At close of song she wakes with a start. Ethel 
turns defiantly to Mabel to listen to first feio 
hars of song. Then finding she's not a danger- 
ous rival in singing, turns contemptuously 



76 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

round facing the audience and fidgets. War- 
rington tJu'Oics himself back in his chair and 
contemplates the ceiling resignedly through 
first verse. During second verse he and Ethel 
hegin to talk. Lady Remenham swings round 
on them and glares indignanthj. Theij stop 
suddenly, and Warrington once more contem- 
plates the ceiling. Lady Remenham, however, 
keeps them under her eye till the song ends.) 

Geoffrey', (clapping) Bravo! Bravo! 

Rector. Charming, charming, (rises, goes up 
L. c.) 

Lady Marchmont. (to Lady Remenham) 
What a sweet voice she has. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Thank you, dear. 

Rector, (to Mabel) Now we must have an- 
other. 

Geoffrey. Do, Mabel. 

Mabel. No. That's quite enough. 

(Geoffrey and Mabel np r. c.) 

Rector. Miss Borridge, yon sing I'm sure? 
(up c.) 

INfRS. Borridge. Do, dearie. Mj girl has a 
wonderful voice. Lady Remling. Quite like a 
professional. Old Jenkins at the Tiv. used to say 
she'd make a fortune in the 'alls. 

(Rector crosses at hack to end of sofa.) 

Lady Remenham. Indeed! 
Ethel. I don't think I've any songs anyone 
here would care for. 



f 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 77 

Mrs. Borridge. Nonsense, dearie. You've lots 
of songs. Give them '^ The Children's 'ome." 

Ethel. Well, I'll sing if you like. 

Geoffrey, {going to her) Shall I find you 
something, Ethel? 

p]THEL. (stiaps) No! (Geoffrey turns aicay 
snubbed , and joins MxVbel up r.) 

(Ethel goes to piano. Warrington follows after 
a moment and stands behind piano l. c. Ethel 
turns for a moment and looks at Geoffrey, 
who is standing by Mabel. Then without pre- 
lude of any kind, strikes into the following re- 
fined ditty. She sings with perfect mastery of 
her method, with a big voice, slight cockney 
accent, and a good deal of humour. As she 
warms to her work she puts in illustrative ac- 
tion of a boisterous sort, always with consider- 
able art.) 

* When Joey takes me for a walk, me an' my sis- 
ter Lue, 

'E puts 'is arms round both our waists as lots o' 
men will do. 

We don't allow no liberties and so we tells 'im 
plain, 

And Joey says 'e's sorr^- — but 'e does the same 
again ! 

(spoken) Well, we're not going to have that, you 
know. Not likely. We're not that sort. So we 
just says- to 'im : — 

* Any popular music hall sonq: may be substituted for this 
providing it is of a rowdy kind. " Waiting: at the Church " 
was the one sung at the original performance. 



78 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

(Chorus.) 

Stop that, Joej, stop it, Joe, 
Stop that tii'kliu' when I tell yer toe! 
You're too free to suit a girl like me, 
Just vou stoj) that tickliu' or I'll slap jer! 

When Joe an' nie is man an' wife, — I thinks 'e 

loves me true — 
I 'opes 'e'll go on ticklin' me an' leave off ticklin' 

Lue. 
'E'll 'ave to leave the girls alone and mind what 

'e's about, 
Or 'im an' me an' Lucy '11 pretty soon fall out. 

(spoken) Yes, I'm not going to put up with that 
sort of thing once we're married. Not 1. If 'e 
tries it on I shall sing out straight: 

(Chorus.) 

Stop that, Joey, chuck it, Joe, 
Drop that ticklin' when I tell yer toe, 
You're too free to suit a girl like me, 
Just you stop that ticklin' or I'll slap yer! 

(spoken) Now then, all of you: (looks aeross 
impndenthj to Lady Remeniiam). 

(Bye-play for Ethel's son(). The listeners begin 
hy settling themselves comfortably into their 
chairs prepared to think of something else, as 
English people do during after dinner tmisic 
when the performer is of no social importance. 
But after a dozen bars of rcrse one are orer thei/ 
begin to listeti. As the song proceeds tJieir 
ivrathful amazement grows. Lady Remenham 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 79 

turns mutely to the Rector for sympathy. 
Then to Mrs. Herries. As the song grows 
hroader she fans herself angrily and whispers 
a moment to Lady Marchmont. Mrs. Cas- 
siLLis remains calm and sweet tvithout moving 
a muscle of her face. Geoffrey and Mabel 
look nnconifortaWe. Only Warrington and 
Mrs. Borridge are enjoying the song. Warring- 
ton mischievously, Mrs. Borridge with frank 
jjride. She heats time to the first chorus and 
joins in in the second in stentorian tones while 
Warrington heats time on the piano. Geof- 
frey^ half-way through verse two, leaves Ma- 
bel's side and stands behind icriting tahle, 
looking full at audience, his face showing his 
disapproval of the whole performance.) 

{Chorus fortissimo, joined hy her delighted 
mother, winding up hy slapping Warrington 
soundly on the cheek hy way of illustration. 
Then rises, flushed' and excited, from piano, 
congratulated hy Warrington, and stands c. 
hy piano.) 

Warrington. Splendid, by Jove, capital. 

(After the slap and Warrington's '^ capital,'^ 
there is a horrified hush on the part of everyone 
save Mrs. Borridge. who goes on clapping her 
hands joyfully and crying, " ThaVs right, Eth. 
Give 'em another.'' Mrs. Cassilis alone makes 
no sign. Lady Remeniiam glares disapproval. 
At last Mrs. Borridge hecomes conscious of the 
awful silence surrounding her and hecomes 
silent too. She looks around, puzzled and 



80 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

frightened, then )Tali~es that no one else is ap- 
plauding, subsides into her ehair, from ichieh 
she had risen in her excitement, and hurriedly 
straightens her hair. Pause.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. . (rises) Won't you come to 
the fire Ethel? Yon must be cold out there. 

Ethel, (up r. c.) Thank you, Mrs. Cassilis, 
I'm not cold. 

(Mrs. Cassilis turns to Mrs. Herries. Geoffrey 
comes down r. c.) 

Warrington, (np c.) Jove, Miss Borridge. 
I'd no idea you could sing like that. 

Ethel. Nor had Geoffrey. (Geoffrey goes 
up to Mabel again. Ethel and Warrington 
chat together up) 

(Mrs. Cassilis comes c.) 

Lady Remenham (rising) Well we must be 
getting home. Geoffrey, will you ask if the car- 
r'age is round. 

Geoffrey. Certainly, Lady Kemeuham. 
(rings electric hell up n.) 

Mrs. Herries. We must be going too. Come 
Hildebrand. (rising.) 

Lady Remenham. Are you coming with us, 
Mabel? 

Mrs. Cassilis. (crosses to r. c.) Oh, no, I 
can't spare Mabel yet. She has promised to stay 
a few days more. 

Lady Remenham. Very well, (enter Ritler.) 

Geoffrey. Lady Remenham's carriage. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 81 

Butler. It's at the door, Sir. 

Geoffrey. A^ery well, {exit Butler) 

Lady Rembnham. Good-bye then, dear. Such 
a pleasant evening. Good night Mabel. We shall 
expect yon when we see you. {general leave tak- 
ings) 

Mrs. Herries. Good-bye, Mrs. Cassilis. 

Mrs. Borridge. Good night, Lady Remling. 
{holds out hand) 

Lady Remenham. Good night, {sweeps past 
her with icy how. Mrs. Borridge retires crushed 
to a chair helow fire-place l.^ and consoles herself 
ivith illustrated paper) 

Ladi' Remenham. Algernon ! 

Warrixgton. Coming, Julia, (fo Ethel) See 
you in London, then. 

Geoffrey, {stifflg) You'll take another cigar 
Warrington — to light you home? 

Warringham. Thanks. Don't mind if I do. 
(Geoffrey' hands box) 

Lady Remenham. Algernon! We're going to 
get on our wraps. {exeunt Mrs. Cassilis and 
Lady Remenham, Mr. and Mrs. Herries r. 
Geoffrey down r.) 

(Mabel joins Lady' Marchmont up r.) 

Warrington. All right, Julia. I shall be ready 
as soon as you are. 

Geoffrey, {at door r.) Help yourself, War- 
rington, {exit R.) 

Warrington, (to Ethel, after helping himself 
to drink) Well, my dear, I'm afraid you've done 
it this time] 



82 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Ethel. Done what? 

Warrington. Shocked them to some purpose! 
It was magnificent, but it was scarcelj tactics, 
eh? 

Ethel. I suppose not. But I icantcd to shock 
them! Here have they been desi)ising me all the 
evening for nothing, and when that detestable 
girl with a voice like a white mouse sang her 
German Jargon, praising her sky-high ! I said I'd 
show them what singing means. And I did ! 

Warrington. You certainly did! Ha! ha! 
You should have seen Julia's face when you boxed 
my ears. If the earth haij oi)ened her mouth and 
swallowed you up like Korah, Dathan and the 
other fellow, it couldn't have opened wider than 
Julia's. 

Ethel. Well, she can scowl if she likes. She 
can't hurt me now. 

Warrington. I'm not so sure of that. 

Ethel. She'll have to hurry up. We go to- 
morrow. 

Warrington. Ah, I didn't know. Well, there's 
nothing like exjtloding a bomb before you leave, 
eh? Onl}' it's not always safe — for the oi>erator. 

Geoffrey, {rc-cntcr Geoffrey r. irith 'Mrs. 
Cassilis) The carriage is ronnd, Warrington. 
Lady Kemenham's waiting. 

Warrington. The deuce she is. (siralloirs 
whisJxjj and mdo) I must fly. Good-bye again. 
Good-bye Mrs. Cassilis. A thousand thanks for 
a most interesting evening. (exit irith Geof- 
frey, paufic. Ethel sltnids fnillrn hi/ firr-idarc) 

Mrs. Borriuge. {yawning) Well I think I 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 83 

shall turn in. (crosses to r. c.) Good night, Mrs. 
Cassilis. [general handshake) Coming, Eth? 

Ethel. In a moment, mother. Good night. 
{exit Mrs. Borridge r.) 

(Mabel and Lady Marchmont up r., come down 
R., re-enter Geoffrey r.) 

Lady Marchmont. I must be off, too. And 
so must you, Mabel. You look tired out. [kisses 
Mrs. Cassilis. Geoffrey opens door r.) 

Mabel. I am a little tired. Good night. 
[hand shake to Lady Marchmont and Geoffrey. 
Mrs. Cassilis kisses her in passing. [Exeunt 
Lady Marchmont and Mabel.) 

Geoffrey. Are you going, mother? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Not at once. I've a couple of 
notes to write. 

(Geoffrey crosses to fire. Mrs. Cassilis goes to 
writing table centre, sits facing audience and 
appears to begin to write notes. Geoffrey 
goes up to Ethel thoughtfully. A silence, 
then.) 

Geoffrey. Ethel. 

Ethel. Yes. [at fire, doesn't move) 

Geoffrey. ^Tiy did you sing that song to- 
night? 

Ethel. To please Lady Remenham! 

Geoffrey. But, Ethel ! That's not the sort of 
song Lady Remenham likes at all. 

Ethel. To shock her, then. 

Geoffrey. Ethel ! 



84 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Ethel. I think I nianaj^ed it, too! 

Geoffuioy. I (lou't uuderstaud. You're joking, 
aren't you? 

Ethel. Joking! 

Geoffrey. I mean, you didn't really do it on 
purpose, to make Lady Remenham angry. I'm 
sure you didn't. 

Ethel. I tell you 1 did it on purpose, deliber- 
ately, to shock Lady Remenham. I suppose I 
ought to know. 

Geoffrey. But why? What made you do such 
a thing? 

Ethel., {snvngcly) I did it because I choose. 
Is that plain enoiij^h? 

Geoffrey. Still you must have had a reason, 
{no onsircr, pause) Did that fellow Warrington 
tell you to sing it? 

Ethel. No. 

Geoffrey. I thought perhaps. . . . Anyhow 
promise me not to sing such a song again here. 
{silence) You will j)romise? 

Ethel. I*ooh ! 

Geoffrey. Ethel, be reasonable. You must 
know you can't go on doing that sort of thing 
here. When we are married we shall live down 
here. You must conform to the ideas of the peo- 
ple round you. They may seem to you narrow 
and ridiculous, but you can't alter them. 

Ethel. You don't think them narrow and 
ridiculous, I suppose? 

Geoffrey. No. In this case I think they are 
right. In many cases. 

Ethel. Sorry I can't agree with you. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 85 

Geoffrey. Ethel, dear, don't let us quarrel 
about a siUy thing like this. If jou are going to 
marry me you must take my judgment on a mat- 
ter of this kind. 

Ethel. Must I ! 

Geoffrey. Yes. 

Ethel. Then I won't. So there. I shall do 
just exactly as I please. And if you don't like it 
you can do the other thing. I'm not going to be 
bullied by you. 

Geoffrey, (goes to her) My dear Ethel, I'm 
sure I am never likely to bully you or to do or say 
anything that is unkind. But on a point like 
this I can't give wa}'. 

Ethel. Very well, Geoff. If you think that 
you'd better break off our engagement, that's all. 

Geoffrey. Ethel! {icith horror) 

Ethel. Well there's nothing to make faces 
about, is there! 

Geoffrey. You don't mean that. You don't 
mean you tvant our engagement to come to an 
end. 

Ethel. Never mind what / want. What do 
you want? 

Geoffrey. Of course I want it to go on. You 
know that. 

Ethel, {gesture of despair) Very well then. 
Y'ou'd better behave accordingly. And now, if 
you've finished your lecture, I'll go to bed. 
Goodnight. (Mrs. Cassilis comes (Zotcn c. Geof- 
frey sees her off opening door r. Then goes and 
stands hy fire. Mrs. Gassilis, who has icatched 
this scene intently with smile of grim satisfaction, 



86 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

rises. She pauses for a minute in thouylit. 
Then.) 

Mrs, Cassilis. Well I must be off too! Good 
night Geoffrey, {kisses him) 

Geoffrey, {absently) Good niglit, mother. 
(Mrs. Cassilis after a moment goes slowly to- 
wards door. Pause) Mother. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Yes, Geoff. 

Geoffrey. Mother, You don't think I was un- 
reasonable in what I said to Ethel, do you? 

Mrs. Cassilis. No, Geoff. 

Geoffrey. Or unkind? 

Mrs. Cassilis. No, Geoff. 

Geoffrey. I was afraid. She took it so 
strangely. 

Mrs. Cassilis. She's rather over-excited to- 
night, I think. And tired, no doubt. She'll be 
all right in the morning. 

Geoffrey. You think I did right to speak to 
her about that song? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Quite right, dear. Dear Ethel 
still has a little to learn, and of course it will 
take time. But we must be patient. Meantime, 
whenever she makes any little mistake, such as 
she made to-night, I think you should certainly 
speak to her about it. It will be such a help to 
her! I don't mean scold her, of course, but speak 
to her gently and kindly, just as you did to-night. 

Geoffrey, {despondently) It didn't seem to 
do any good. 

Mrs. Cassilis. One never knows, dear. Good 
night, {kisses him. Exit. He stands thoughtful 
by fire) 

Curtain. 



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THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 87 



ACT IV. 

Scene. — The morning room at Deynham. After 
breakfast next day. A pleasant room icith 
French ivindows c, open on to terrace. The 
snn is shining hrilliantly. Door to hall i.. 
Back cloth represents garden scene. Sofa c. 
tip stage facing audience in front of windoic, 
hut rather to l. of it. Room to pass behind it. 
Armchair to a. of sofa. Room to pass ietwecn 
it and end of sofa to go out into garden. An- 
other sofa, smaller, stands out at right angles 
from uall r. above fireplace. Electric bell by 
fireplace at end of sofa. Armchairs up r. c. and 
R. down. Small table l. c. with chair by it. 
Armchair l. rather below door some way out 
from wall. When curtain rises Mabel and 
Geoffrey are on stage. Geoffrey stands by 
fire-place r. Mabel strolls to icindow c. He 
looks rather out of sorts and dull.) 

Mabel, (at icindow) What a lovely day. 

Geoffrey. Not bad. (pulls out cigarette case) 

Mabel. I'm sure you smoke too much, Geof- 
frey. 

Geoffrey, {smiles) I think not. (enter Mrs. 
Cassilis l.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Not gone out yet, dears? Why 
Mabel you've not got your habit on. 



88 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mabel. We're not ^oinj!; to ride this morning. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Not going to ride? 

Mabel. No. We've decided to stay at home 
to-day for a change. 

Mrs. Cassilis. But why, dear? 

Mabel. 1 don't know. We just thought so. 
That's all. 

Mrs. Cassilis. But you must have some rea- 
son. You and Geofifrey haven't been quarrelling, 
have you? 

Mabel. Of course not. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Then why aren't you going to 
ride? 

Mabel. Well, we thought Ethel might be dull 
if we left her all alone. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Nonsense dears. I'll look after 
Ethel. Go up and change both of you at once. 
Ethel would l)e dreadfully grieved if you gave up 
your ride for her. Ethel's not selfish. She would 
never allow you or Geoffrey to give up a pleasure 
on her account, (crosses r.) 

Geoffrey. Well, Mabel, what do you say? It 
is a ripping day. 

Mabel. If Mrs. Cassilis thinks so. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Of course I think so. Run 
away dears and get your things on. I'll tell them 
to send around the horses. (ri7i(/s) 

Geoffrey. All right. Just for an hour. Come 
on, Mabel. I'll race you to the end of the ]»as- 
sage. [exeunt running, iirarhj upsetting footman 
tcho enters l, at the same nionient) * 

* Note that the time allowed for Mabel's change of dress is 
very short. It is therefore important to arrange that the 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 89 

Mrs. Cassilis. Lady Mabel and Mr. Geoffrey 
are going out riding. Tell them to send the horse.=3 
round. And tell Hallard I want to see him about 
those roses. I'm going into the garden now. 

Footman. Very well, Madam, (exit l.) 

(Mrs. Cassilis goes out c. A moment later enter 
Mrs. Borridgb atiil Ethel l.) 

Mrs. Borridge. {looking round, then going to 
easy-chair) Mrs. Cassilis isn't here? 

Ethel. I daresay she's with the housekeeper. 

Mrs. Borriuge. Very likely. {2)icks up news- 
paper) Give me a cushion, there's a good girl. 
(Ethel does so) Lady Marchmont isn't down 
yet, I suppose. 

Ethel. No. {turns a wag) 

Mrs. Borridge. {putting down paper) What's 
the matter, dearie? You look awfully down. 

Ethel. Nothing. {goes to window c. and 
stares out into the sunlight) 

Mrs. Borridge. I wish Lady Marchmont came 
down to breakfast of a morning. 

Ethel, {shrugs) Do you? 

Mrs. Borridge. Yes. It's dull without her. 
She and I are getting quite chummy. 

Ethel. {irritaMy, swinging round) Chummy! 
My dear mother. Lady Marchmont's only laugh- 
ing at you. 

Mrs. Borridge. Nonsense, Ethel. Laughing at 
me, indeed! I should like to see her! 

change shall be as easily made as possible so as to avoid any 
danger of a stage " wait." 



90 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT 

Ethel, That's just it, mother. You in>ver 
will. 

Mrs. Borridge. Pray what do you mean by 
that, Miss? 

Ethel. {hopeless) Oh, it doesn't matter. 
{goes u. to fire-place, leans arm on mantel-piece.) 

Mrs. Borridge. Now you're sneering at me, 
and I won't 'ave it — have it. {silence) Do you 
'ear? 

Ethel. Yes T hoar. (sta"(s doirn at fvprfcr.) 

Mrs. Borrh)GE. A^ery well then. Don't let me 
'ave any more of it. {grumbling to herself) 
Laughing indeed! {pause) Where's Geoffrey? 

Ethel. I don't know. 

Mrs. Borridge. Out riding, I suppose? 

Ethel. Very likely. 

Mrs. Borridge. 'E only finished breakfiist just 
before us. 

Ethel. He, mother. 

Mrs. Borridge. Dear, dear, 'ow you do go on! 
l^ou leave my aitches alone. They're all right. 

Ethel, {sighs) I wish they were! {pause) 
You've not forgotten we're going away to-day, 
mother? {sits on sofa r.) 

Mrs. Borridge. To-day! 'Oo says so? 

Ethel. We were only invited for a week. 

Mrs. Borridge. Were we, dearie? I don't re- 
member. 

Ethel. I do. There's a train at 12.15, if you'll 
ask Mrs. Cassilis about the carriage. 

Mrs. Borridge. But I've not let Jane know. 
She won't be expecting us. 

Ethel. We can telegraph. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 91 

Mrs. Borridge. Can't we stay another day or 
two? I'm sure Mrs. Cassilis won't mind. And 
I'm very comfortable here. 

Ethel. No, mother. 

Mrs. Borridge. Why not? 

Ethel, {exasperated) In the first place be- 
cause we haven't been asked. In the second, be- 
cause I don't want to. 

Mrs. Borridge. Don't want to? 

Ethel, (snappishly) No. I'm sick and tired 
of this place. 

Mrs. Borridge. Are you, dearie? I thought 
we were gettiu' on first rate. 

Ethel. Did you. {rises, goes l. c.) Anyhow 
we're going, thank goodness, and that's enough. 
Don't forget to speak to Mrs. Cassilis. I'll go up- 
stairs and pack, {as she is going l. Mrs. Cas- 
silis enters c. and meets her. She stops. Mrs. 
Cassilis kisses her affectionately) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Going out, Ethel dear? Good- 
morning, {greets jNIrs. Borridge.) 

Ethel. Good morning. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {putting her arm in Ethel's 
and leading her across stage) Isn't it a lovely 
day. I woke at five. I believe it was the birds 
singing under my window. 

Ethel. Did you, Mrs. Cassilis? {enter Lady 
March MONT l.) 

Lady Marchmont. Good morning, Adelaide. 
{kisses her) Late again, I'm afraid, {shakes 
hands icith Ethel.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. {sweetly) Another of your 
headaches, dear? I'm so sorry. 



92 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Lady March mont. Good morning, Mrs. Bor- 
ridge. I hope you slept well. 

Mks. lioKUiDGE. Sound as a ])ell. But then I 
was always a one-ner to sleep. My old man, when 
'e was alive, used to say 'e never knew anyone 
sleep like me. .Vnd snore I Why 'e declared 
it kep' 'im awake 'alf the night. But / never 
noticed. 

Lady Marchmont. {awcefli/) That must have 
been a great consolation for Mr. Borridge. 

Mrs. Borridge. Your 'nsband snore? 

Lady Marchmont. (laufpihifj) No. 

Mrs. Borridge. Thinks it's low per'aps? They 
used to say snorin' comes from sleepin' with your 
mouth open, but / don't know. What do you 
think? 

Lady Marchmont. I really don't know, dear 
Mrs. Borridge. 1 must think it over. (Lady 
Marchmont talccs chair hy Mrs Borridge. They 
converse in dumh shoic. Ethel and Mrs. Cas- 
siLis come down stafje.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. What a pretty blouse you've 
got on to-day, dear. 

Ethel. Is it, Mrs. Cassilis? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Sweetly pretty. It goes so well 
with your eyes. You've lovely eyes, you know. 

Ethel. Do you think so? 

Mrs. Cassilis. Of course. So does Geofif. 

Ethel. [disengayiny herself) Oh, GeoflP — 
Well I must go upstairs, {to Mrs. Borridge in 
passiny) Don't forget, Mummy, (exit Ethel) 

Mrs. Borridge. What dearie? Oh yes. Ethel 
says we must be packin' our traps, Mrs. Cassilis. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 92 

Mrs. Cassilis. {going down l. startled) Pack- 
ing? 

(Lady Marchmont goes up c.) 

Mrs. Borridgb. Yes. She says we mustn't out- 
stay our welcome. She's proud is my girlie. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {crosses r.) But you're not 
thinking of leaving us? Oh you mustn't do that. 
Geotf would he so disappointed. And so should I. 

Mrs. Borridge. I don't want to go, I'm sure. 
Only Ethel said 

Mrs. Cassilis. There must be some mistake. 
You tnustn-t go yet, must they, Margaret? 

Mrs. Borridge, Ethel said we were only asked 
for a week. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {sits in armchair r. c.) But 
that was before I really knew you, wasn't it. It's 
quite different now. 

Mrs. Borridge. If you feel that, Mrs. Cassilis. 
. . . (Lady Marchmont sitting on sofa c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Of course I feel it. I count on 
you for quite a long visit. 

Mrs. Borridge. There! I told Ethel how it 
was, 

Mrs. Cassilis. Ethel doesn't want to go does 
she? 

Mrs. Borridge. Oh no. She'd be delighted to 
stop on. Only she thought 

Mrs. Cassilis. Very well then. That's settled. 
You'll stay with us till Geofif and I go to Scotland 
That won't be till the middle of August. You 
promise? 

Mrs. Borridge. Thank you Mrs. Cassilis. I 



94 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

call that real hospitable, {rising) And now I'll 
run upstairs and tell my girl or she'll be packing 
mj^ black satin before I've time to stop her. She's 
so 'asty. And I always say nothing spoils things 
like packing, especially satins. They do crush so. 
(exit L. As soon as door closes Mrs. Cassilis 
heaves sigh of intense relief, showing how alarmed 
she had been lest the Borridges should really take 
their departure. Pause) 

Lady Marchmont. {who has tcatched this 
scene with consideraMe appreciation of its 
humour) How you fool that old woman! 

]\Irs, Cassilis. So do you, dear, {rises, goes 
up c.) 

Lady Marchmont. Yes. You'll make me as 
great a hypocrite as yourself before you've done. 
When you first began I was shocked at you. But 
now I feel a dreadful si^irit of emulation stealing 
over me. 

Mrs. Cassilis. There's always a satisfaction in 
doing a thing well isn't there? 

Lady Marchmont. You must feel it then. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Thanks. 

Lady MAitciiMONT. Do you really want these 
dreadful people to stay all that time'.'* 

Mrs. Cassilis. Certainly. And to come back, 
if necessary, in October. 

Lady Marchmont. Good Heavens! Why? 

Mrs. Cassilis. {sits up r. c.) My dear Mar- 
garet as long as that woman and her daughter 
are here we may get Geoffrey out of their 
clutches. I thought we should manage it last 
night. Last night was a terrible disillusionment 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 95 

for him poor boy. But I was w rong. It was too 
soon. 

Lady March mont. By the way what did that 
amusing wretch Major Warrington advise? 

Mrs. Cassilis. I didn't consult him. I'd no 
opportunity. Besides I couldn't have trusted him. 
He might have gone over to the enemy. 

Lady Marchmont. Yes. He was evidently at- 
tracted to the girl. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I suppose so. Major Warring- 
ton isn't fastidious where women are concerned. 

Lady Marchmont. Still he knew of course. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Only what Lady Remenham 
would have told him. However his visit wasn't 
altogether wasted, 1 think. 

Lady Marchmont. That song you mean. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Yes. He gave poor Ethel a 
glimpse of the Paradise she is turning her back on 
forever, London, music-hall songs, racketty bach- 
elors, and that made her reckless. The contrast 
between Major Warrington and, say, our dear 
Rector can hardly fail to have gone home to her. 

(Enter l. quickly Ethel, flushed and cross.) 

Ethel, {bursting out) Mrs. Cassilis— 

Mrs. Cassilis. (rertj sivcetli/, rising and going 
to her L. c.) Ethel dear, what is this I hear? 
You're not going to run away from us? 

Ethel. {doggedly) Indeed we must, Mrs. 
Cassilis. You've had us for a week. We really 
mustn't stay any longer. 

Mrs. Cassilis. But my dear it's delightful to 
have you. 



96 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. BouuiDOK. {uho has just entered breath- 
lessli/ at door l.) There you sec, dearie! What 
(lid 1 tell you! 

Mrs. Cassilis. (c.) Geoff would be terriUy 
distressed if you went away. He'd think I hadn't 
made you comfortable. He'd scold me dreadfully. 

Ethel, (l. c.) I don't think Geoff will care. 
(Lady March mont rises and watches this scene 
from window c.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. {great solicitude) My dear 
you've not had any little difference vwith Geoff? 
Any quarrel? 

Ethel. No. 

Mrs. Cassilis. I was so afraid. 

Ethel. Still we oughtn't to plant ourselves on 
you in this way. 

Mrs. Borridge. Plant ourselves! Really 
dearie, how can you say such things! Plant our- 
selves.' {sitting down l.) 

Ethel. Oh do be quiet mother, {stamps her 
foot. Crosses r.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. Anyhow you can't possibly go 
to-day. The carriage has gone to Branscombe 
and the other horse has cast a shoe. And to-mor- 
row there's a dinner party at Milverton. You'll 
stay for that? 

Ethel. You're very kind, Mrs. Cassilis, 
but ... . 

Mrs. Cassilis. That's right my dear. You'll 
stay. And next week we'll have some young peo- 
ple over to meet you and you shall dance all the 
evening. 

Mrs. Borridge. There, Ethel! 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 97 

(Lady March mont crosses to sofa up l. c.) 

Ethel, (hopeless) Very well. If you really 
wish it. 

Mrs. Cassilis. That's right. I'm so glad. 1 
sha'n't be able to part with you for a long time 
yet. {kisses her tenderly) 

(Ethel sits hopelessly on chair and does not re- 
spond. ) 

Lady March MONT, {under her hreath) Really 
Adelaide ! 

Mrs. Cassilis. (sweetly) Into the garden did 
you say Margaret? (taking her out c.) Very 
well. The sun is tempting isn't it? (exeunt c.) 

(Pause. Ethel shows mute exasperation.) 

Ethel. Well mother, you've done it ! 

Mrs. Borridge. Done what, dearie? 

Ethel, (impatiently) Oh you know. 

Mrs. Borridge. (sits l.) Do you mean about 
staying on here? But what could I do? Mrs. 
Cassilis wouldn't let us go. You saw that your- 
self. 

Ethel. You might have stood out. 

Mrs. Borridge. I did, dearie. I stood out as 
long as ever I could. But she wouldn't hear of 
our goin'. 

Etfiel. (rises, crosses r. c.) Well mother 
don't say I didn't warn you, that's all. 

Mrs. Borridge. Warn me, dearie? 

Ethel. That I was tired of this place. Sick 
and tired of it. That it was time we were mov 
ing. 



98 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Mrs. Borridge. Is that all. I'll remember. 
{pause) How far did you get with the packing? 

Ethel. I don't know. 

Mrs. Borridge. You hadn't packed my black 
satin? 

Ethel. I don't know. Yes I think so. I'm 
not sure. Don't ivorri/, mother, (sits on sofa r.) 

Mrs. Borridge. It'll be simply covered with 
creases. I know it will. Run up at once, there's 
a good girl, and shake it out. 

Ethel. Oh bother! 

Mrs. BoRRn>GE. Then I must. How tiresome 
girls are! Always in the tantrums! {exit l. 
grunibl'mg) 

(Ethel, left alone, sits scolding furiously at the 
carpet and biting her nails. There is a consid- 
erable pause during tvhich her rage and weari- 
ness are silently e.rprcssed. Then enter l. very 
fresh and gay Geoffrey and Mabel in riding 
things.) 

Geoffrey. Hullo Ethel ! There you are, are 
you? 

Ethel. {sulJ:ily) You can see me, I supi)Ose. 

]Mal'.el. We didn't get our ride after all. 

Ethel. Didn't you? {turns away) 

Mabel. No. Basil has strained one of his 
sinews poor darling. He'll have to lie up for a 
day or two. 

{^its at table l. c.) 

Geoffrey. Isn't it hard luck? It would have 
been such a glorious day for a ride. \\q were go- 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 99 

ing round by Long Winton and up to Tenterden's 
farm and 

Ethel, (snaps.) You needn't trouble to tell 
me. I don't want to hear, [pause, goes up c.) 

Mabel. I think I'll go uj) and change my habit, 
Geoff. (Geoffrey nods, exit Mabel l.) 

Geoffrey, {going straight up to Ethel and 
putting hand on her shoulder) What is it, Ethel? 
Is anything the matter? 

Ethel. {shaking him off fiercely) Please 
don't touch me. 

Geoffrey. Something has happened. What is 
it? 

Ethel. {savagely) Nothing's happened. 
Nothing ever does happen here. 

Geoffrey, {he puts hand on hers. She pulls 
it pettishly away. He slightly shrugs his should- 
ers, a long pause. He turns, crosses, goes to- 
wards doar L.) 

Ethel. Geoff. 

Geoffrey. Yes. {stops c.) 

Ethel. I want to break off our engagement. 

Geoffrey, {not taking her seriously) My dear 
girl ! 

Ethel. I think it would be better. Better for 
both of us. 

Geoffrey, {still rallying her) Might one ask 
why? 

Ethel. For many reasons, {rises) Oh don't 
let us go into all that. Just say you release me 
and there's an end. {coming c.) 

Geoffrey. {more serious) My dear Ethel 
what is the matter? Aren't you well? 



100 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Ethel, {impatiently) I'm perfectly well. 

Geoffrey. I don't think you are. You loot 
quite flushed. I wish you'd take more exercise. 
You'd be ever so much better. 

Ethel. Geoffrey you're simply maddening. 
Do please understand that I know when I'm well 
and when I'm ill. There's nothing whatever the 
matter with me. I believe you think everything 
in life would go right if only everyone took a cold 
bath every morning and spend the rest of the day 
shooting jjartridges. 

Geoffrey. Well there's a lot in that, isn't 
there? 

Ethel. Rubbish. 

Geoffrey, {struck hi/ trilliant idea) It's not 
that silly business about the riding again is it? 

Ethel. Oh no ! no ! Please believe that I'm not 
a child, and that I know what I'm saying. / want 
to break off our engagement. I don't think we're 
suited to each other. 

Geoffrey, {piqued) This is rather sudden, 
isn't it? (goes l. a little) 

Ethel. How do you know it's sudden? 

Geoffrey. Isn't it? 

Ethel. No. It's not. 

Geoffrey, {struck by a thought) Ethel, has 
my mother ? 

Ethel. Y''our mother has nothing whatever to 
do with it. 

Geoffrey. She hasn't said anything? 

Ethel. Y'our mother has been everything 
that's kind and good. In fact if it hadn't been 
for her I think I should have broken it off before. 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 101 

But I didn't want to hurt her. (Geoffrey ibises 
and paces the room up and down to l. c, for a 
moment in thought. Then turns to her again) 

Geoffrey. Ethel you mustn't come to a decis- 
ion like this hastily. You must take time to con- 
sider. 

Ethel. Thank you. My mind is quite made 
up. {sits) 

Geoffrey. Still you might think it over for a 
day or two, a week perhaps. It (hesitates) . . . 
it wouldn't be fair of me to take you at your word 
in this way. 

Ethel. Why not? 

Geoffrey. You might regret it afterwards. 

Ethel, {with a short laugh) You're very 
modest ! 

Geoffrey, (nettled) Oh I'm not vain enough 
to imagine you would find anything to regret 
in me. /'m a common-place fellow enough. But 
there are other things which a girl has to consider 
in marriage aren't there? Position, money. If 
you broke off our engagement now mightn't you 
regret these later on, however little you regret 
met 

Ethel, (touched) Geoff, dear, I'm sorry I 
hurt you. I didn't mean to. You're a good fel- 
low. Far too good for me. And I know you mean 
it kindl}' when you ask me to take time and all 
that. But my mind's quite made up. Don't let's 
say any more about it. 

Geoffrey, (slowly atid a little sadly) You 
don't love me any more then? 

Ethel. No. I don't love you any more. Per- 



102 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

haps I never did love you really Geoff. I don't 
know. 

Geoffrey. I loved you, Ethel. 

Ethel. I wonder. 

Geoffrey. You know I did. 

P^TiiEL, You thought you did. But that's not 
always the same thinji; is it? Many a girl takes 
a man's fancy for a moment. Yet peoi)le say one 
only loves once, don't they, {pause) 

Geoffrey, {sits r. c. in arnich(tir) Etlu'l. I 
don't know how to say it. You'll laugh at me 
again. Rut — you're sure you're not doing this on 
mij account? 

Ethel. On your account? 

Geoffrey. Yes. To si)are me. Because you 
think I ought to marry in my own class as Lady 
Remenham would say? 

Ethel. No. 

Geoffrey. Quite sure? 

Ethel, {nods) Quite. 

{Going up to window c.) 

Geoffrey, {frankly puzzled) Then T can't 
understand it ! 

Ethel, {impatiently) My dear Geoft' is it 
impossible for you to understand that I don't 
trant to marry you. That if I married you I 
should be bored to death. That I loathe the life 
down here among your highly resi>ectable friends. 
That if T had to lire here with you I should yawn 
myself into my grave in six months, {rises) 

Geoffrey, {astonished) Don't you like Deyn- 
ham? 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 103 

Ethel. No. I detest it. {goes to him up c.) 
Oh it's pretty enough I suppose and the fields are 
very green and the view from Milverton Hill ia 
much admired. And you live all alone in a great 
park and you've horses and dogs and a butler and 
two footmen. But that's not enough for 7ne. I 
want life, people, lots of people. If I lived down 
here I should go blue-mouldy in three weeks. I'm 
town-bred, a true cockney. I want streets and 
shops and gas lamps. I don't want your carriages 
and pair. Give me a penny omnibus. 

Geoffrey. Ethel ! {sits on settee) 

Ethel. Now you're shocked. It is vulgar isn't 
it. But I'm vulgar. And I'm not ashamed of it. 
Now you know, {another pause. Geoffrey in 
pained surprise ponders deeply. At last he 
speaks) 

Geoffrey. It's all over then? 

Ethel, {goes to sofa r. c, leans against haek 
of it and faees audience. Flippantly.) All over 
and done with. I surrender my claim to every- 
thing, the half of your worldly goods, of your 
riiother's worldly goods, of your house, your park, 
your men servants and maid servants, your aris- 
tocratic relations. Don't let's forget your aristo- 
cratic relations. I surrender them all. There's 
my hand on it. {stretches it out) 

Geoffrey. {pained) Don't, Ethel. {rises, 
turns to small tabic l. c.) 

Ethel, {surprised) My dear Geoff, you don't 
mean to say you're sorry. You ought to be fling- 
ing your cap in the air at regaining your liberty. 
Why I believe there are tears in your eyes! 



104 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Actually tears! Let me look [turns his face to 
Iter) 

Geofpuey. {pitlling it airay and going l. c, 
she goes to him) You don't suppose a fellow 
likes being thrown over like this do you. 

Ethel. Vanity, my dear Geoff! mere vanity. 

Geoffrey. It's not! 

(Pause.) 

Ethel, {suddenly serious) Geoff , do you tc»an< 
our engagement to go on? Do you want to marry 
me still? {he turns to her) Do you love me still? 
{holds up hand) No Geoff. Think before you 
speak. On your honour! (Geoffrey is silent) 
There you see! Come dear, cheer up. It's best 
as it is. Give me a kiss. The last one. {she goes 
to Geoffrey and holds up her face to he kissed. 
He kissed her on the forehead) 

Ethel. And now I'll run upstairs and tell 
mother, {laughs) Poor mother! Won't she 
make a shine! {exit l.) 

(Geoffrey left alone fidgets ahout, picks up pa- 
per, puts it down, takes out cigarette case, is 
about to light cigarette, strikes match. Enter 
Mrs. Cassilis followed a moment later hy Lauy 
Marchmont c. He blows it out.) 

Mrs. Cassilis. All alone, Geoffrey? {at win- 
dow) 

Geoffrey. Yes mother, {crosses r. to fire- 
place) 

Mrs. Cassilis. {coming c.) Where's Ethel? 
{enter Lady Marchmont c.) 

Geoffrey. Mother — Ethel's . . . (sees 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 105 

Lady Marchmont. Pause) Good morning, Aunt 
Margaret. 

Lady Marchmont. Good-morning, (l. c. at 
sofa) 

Mrs. Cassilis. (c) Well, dear? 

Geoffrey. Mother a terrible thing has hap- 
pened. Ethel was here a moment ago and she 
has broken off our engagement. 

Lady Marchmont. Broken it off! 

Mrs. Cassilis. { feigned distress) Broken it 
off dear? Surely not? 

Geoffrey. Yes. 

Mrs. Cassilis. Oh, jwor Geoffrey! {going to 
him R. c.) Did she say why? 

Geoffrey* Only that it had all been a mistake. 
She was tired of it all and didn't like the country 
and — that's all I think. 

Mrs. Cassilis. My jwor boy. And I thought 
her so happy with us. You don't think we've been 
to hlame — /'ve been to blame — in the way do you? 
Perhaps we ought to have amused her more. 

Geoffrey. Not you, mother. You've always 
been sweet and good to her. Always. She said 
so, 

Mrs. Cassilis. I'm glad of that dear, {goes up 
R. to windoiv) 

{Enter l. Mrs. Borridge furiously angry followed 
hy Ethel vainly trying to detain or silence her. 
Geoffrey retreats up stage where Mrs. Bor- 
ridge does not notice him.) 

Mrs. Borridge. Where's Geoff? Leave me 
alone, Ethel. Where's Geoff? 



106 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Ethel. He's uot here mother. And Mrs. Cas- 
silis is. Do be quiet. 

Geoffrey, {coming between them) I'm here. 
What is it, Mrs. Borridge? 

(Lady Marchmont comes down l.) 

Mrs. Borridge. (r. c.) Oh Geofify what is this 
Ethel's been telling me? You haven't reely broke 
off your engagement, have you? 

(Mrs. Cassilis at fire r.) 

Ethel. Nonsense, mother. I broke it off as I 
told you. 

Mrs. Borridge. But you didn't mean it, deari*^. 
It was all a mistake. Just a little tiff". 

(Geoffrey joins Mrs. Cassilis at fire r.) 

Ethel. No! 

Mrs. Borridge. Yes it is. It'll blow over. You 
wouldn't be so unkind to poor Geoffy. 

Ethel. Mother don't be a fool. It doesn't take 
anybody in. Come upstairs and let's get on with 
our packing. 

Mrs. Borridge. (stamps foot) Be quiet, Ethel 
tvhcn I tell you. (Ethel turns up to tahlc l. c.) 
Lady Marchmont won't you speak to her. Un- 
dutiful girl. I should like to whip her! 

Lady Marchmont. (l) Ah well, dear Mrs. 
Borridge, perhaps young i^eople know best about 
these things. 

Mrs. Borridge. (l. c. excited and angry) 
Know best! know best! How should they know 
best? They don't know anything. They're as 



THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 107 

ignorant as they are uppish, {growing tcarftil) 
And to think 'ow I've worked for that girl! 'Ow 
I've slaved for 'er, denied myself for 'er. {hreah 
ing down) I did so want 'er to be respectable, 
I 'aven't always been respectable myself and I 
know the value of it. {crosses r. c. almost hyster- 
ical and hardly realising tvhat she is saying) 

Ethel. Oh, hush, mother! 

Mrs. Borridgb. (c. angry again) I won't 'ush, 
so there! I'm your mother and I won't be trod 
on. / find someone to marry you — a better match 
than ever you'll find for yourself, Miss. And this 
is 'ow I'm treated! {begins to cry) 

Ethel, {taking her arm) Mother, mother, do 
come away. 

(Mrs. Cassilis comes down r. a little.) 

Mrs. Borridge. {breaJcing down altogether) 
And now to 'ave to begin all over again. And 
young men ain't so green as they used to be. Not 
by a long way. They're cunning most of them. 
They take a deal of catchin'. And I'm gettin' an 
old woman. Oh she might 'ave spared me this. 

Mrs. Cassilis. {soothingly) Mrs. Borridge, 
Mrs. Borridge. 

(Ethel goes to window.) 

Mrs. Borridge. {paying no attention, snuf- 
fling) I^ut she's no natural affection. That's 
what it is. She doesn't love 'er mother. She's 
'eadstrong and wilful and never paid the least at- 
tention to what I told 'er. (burst of tears) But 
I do think she might 'ave left 'ini to break it off. 



108 THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. 

Then thore'd 'avo beou a IJreach of Promise and 
that's always something. That's what 1 always 
SMV to jrii-ls '^ U^ave ihcni to break it ofif, dearies 
and then there'll be a breach of promise and dam- 
ages." That's if you've got something on paper. 
P.ut (fresh hur.st of tears) she never would get 
anything on paper. She never paid the least re- 
gard to her old mother. She's an undutiCul girl 
and that's 'ow it is. (goes off into incoherent 
sohs) 

Butler. Lady Remenham. 
Mrs. Cassilis. (hastil,/ rising) The drawing 
room, Watson, (crosses l. c. ,Shc is hotcever tf)o 
late to stop Watson from slioimuj in Lady Rem- 
enham) 

Lady Remenham. (sailing in) How do you 
do, Adelaide. How do you do, Margaret. I've 
just driven Algernon to the station and I thought 
I'd leave this for you as I passed, {gives hook) 
Mrs. Borridge. She's an undutiful daughter. 
That's what she is. (snorting and sobbing) 
Lady Remenham. (l. c.) Eh? 
Mrs. Cassilis. Mrs. Borridge is not quite her- 
self just now. Dear Ethel has decided that she 
does not wish to continue her engagement to mv 
son and Mrs. Borridge has only just heard the 
news. 

Lady Remenham. Not wMsh . . . . ! 
Mrs. Cassilis. No. This has naturally upset 
us all very much. It was so very sudden. 

Lady Remenham. Well I must say 

(takes refuge in silence) 
Mrs. Borridge. (burst of grief) Oh why 



THE CASSILIS ENGA,6eMENT. 109 

didn't she get something on paper. (Ethel comes 
doicn to her r. c.) Letters is best. Men are that 
slippy. I always told her to get something on 
paper, {breaks down completelij) 

Ethel. Come away, mother, [takes her firmly 
hy the arm) Will you please order the carriage, 
Mrs. Cassilis? (leads Mrs. Borridge off l. soh- 
Mng and gulping) 

(Geoffrey goes to window.) 

Lady Remenham. Geoffrey will you please 
tell the coachman to drive round to the stables? 
/ shall stay to luncheon ! 

(Lady Remenham sits l. c. facing audience, a 
smile of triumphant satisfaction irradiating her 
countenance. Geoffrey, who is standing hy 
window c. and therefore behind her, luckily 
cannot see her face but the audience can and it 
speaks volumes. Geoffrey goes out c. to tell 
coachman.) 

Curtain. 



v\ 



SEND FOR A NEW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



{French's Standard Drama Continued from 2d page o_f Cover.) 



VOL. XLI. 
I The Pirite's Legncy 
I Tha Charcoal Uuruer 
I Advlgitha 
I se:. •• Valienle 
) Forest Rose 
i Duke's Daughter 
I Camilla's Husband 
i Pure liold 

VOL. XLII. 
I Ticket of Laave Man 
) Fool's ReTenge 

O'Neil the Great 
! Handy Andy 
t Pirate of the isles 
I Fanchon 
1 Little Barefoot 
i Wild Irish Girl 

VOL. XLUI. 
' Pearl of Savoy 
I Dead Mean 
I Ten Nights in a B; 
I Dumb Bovof Manchester 

BelphcKor the Mounleb'k 
I Cricket oo the Hearth . 
1 Printer's Devil 
I Mtf 's Diversion 



r-rooni 



VOL. XLIV. 
345 Drunkard's Doom 
Z46 Chimney Corner 
6il Fifteen YearsofaDrnnk 
:!4H No Thoroughfare fard': 
Mi Peep O' Day [Life 

:(Ml Everybody's Friend 
.(51 l..i::. Grant 
■i5-2 Katlileeu M.^.TonmeeQ 

VOL. XLV. 
.■i53 Nick WhifBes 
X54 Fruits of the Wine Cup 
355 Drunkard's Warning 
:i56 Temperance Doctor 
:i57 Aunt Dinah 
:i58 Wi.lovir Freeheart 
;!59 Frou Frou 
:i60 Lonp Strike 

VOL. XLVL 
361 Lancers 
mi Lucille 
3fi3 Randall's Thumb 

364 Wicked World 
366 Two Orphans 

366 Colleen Bawn 

367 'Twixt Aie and Crown 

365 Lady Clancarthy 



36'j Si 



VOL. XLVII. 
ratogm 



er Too Late to Mend 
r,\ Lilv of France 
'»■> Led Astray 
<73 Henry V 
■;T4 Unequal Match 
J7.i May or Dolly's Delusion 
376 Allatoona 

VOL. XLVUL 

nch Arden 

378 Under the Gil Light 

379 Daniel Rocbat 

380 Caste 

381 School 
3SS Home 

3B3 David Garrick 
3S4 Ours 

VOL. XLIX. • 
385 Social Glass 
3K6 Daniel Drue* 
387 Two Roses 
385 Adrienne 
.189 The Bells 

390 Uncle 

391 Courtihip 

392 Not Such a Fool 



VOL. L. 

393 Fine Feathers 

394 Prompter's Bok 

395 Iron Master 

396 Engaged 

97 Pygmalion it Oalatw 

398 Leah 

399 Scrap of Paper 
4U0 Lost in London 

VOL. LL 

401 Octoroon 

402 Confederate Spy 

403 Mariner's Return 

404 Ruined by Drink 1 

405 Dreams 

406 M. P. 

407 War 
40S Birth 

VOL. Ltl. 

409 Nightingale 

410 Progress 

411 Plav 

412 Midnight Charjjt 

413 Confidential Clerk 

414 Snowball 

415 Our Regiment 

416 Married for Money 
II let in Three Acts 

Guttle & Gulpit 



FRENCH'S INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHTED EDITION 
OF THE WORKS OF THE BEST AUTHORS. 

The following very successful plays have just been issued at 25 cents per copy. 



A PAIR OF SPECTACLES. Comedy in 3 Acts 
by Sydniy Gkundv. author of "Sowing th« Wind," 
<Xc. 8 male, 3 femaU characters. 

A .FOOL'S P.ARADISE. An ortpinn! play In 3 
Acts bv Sydnicv GRrNi-Y, author of "Sowing the 
W'nd,' Ac. 5 mnle. 4 female characters. 

THE SILVER SHIELD. An original comedy In 
3 Act? by Syhney Grundy, author of "Sowing the 
Wind," ic. 5 male, 3 female characters. 

THE QLABB OF TASHIOTC. An original com- 
edy in 4 Act* by Syhnky Gbundv, author of '* Sowing 
tha Wind." Ac. 6 male, S female characters. 



THE BALLOON. Farcical comedy In 3 AcU ky J. 

H. Dabnlky and Manvillr Fsnn. 6 male, 4 female 

characters. 
MISS CLEOPATRA. Farce in 3 AcU by A»THcm 

Shirley. 7 male, 3 female characters. 
SIX PERSONS. Comedy Act by I. Zangwtu-. 

1 male, 1 female character. 
FASHIOKAILE INTELLIGENCE. Comedi- 
etta in 1 Act by Pebcv Fenuall. 1 male, 1 female 

character. 
HIGHLAND LEGACY. Comedy in ! Act by 

Brandon Thomas, .-author of " Charity'* Aunt." 

5 male, S famale charact<:rfi. 



Contents of Catalogue which is sent Free. 



Amat^u- Drama 

Amateur Or-: .w 

Articles Needed by Amateun 

Art of Scene Painting 

Baker's Reading Club 

Beards, WhiskerB, Muitach9&, etc. 

Bound Sets of l*lavi 

Bulwer Lytton's Play* 

Barlesque' Dramas 

Burnt Cork 

Cabnian's Story 

CarTiiv.\l of Authors 

Chara.lc Plavs 

Cbiidren's Plays 

Comic Dramas for Male Characters 

onlv 
Costume Books 
Crape Hair 
Cumberland Edition 
Darkey Dramas 
Dramas for Bovb 
Drawing-room Monologues 
Elocution, Reciters and Speakers 
Ethiopian Dramas 



Et-eniner's Entertainment 

Fairy and Home Plays 

French's Costumes 

French's Editions 

French's Italian Operas 

French's Parlor Comedies 

French's Standard and Minor Drama 

French's Standard and Minor Drama, 

bound 
French's Scenes for Amateurs 
Frobieher's PopuUr Recitals 
Grand Army Dramas 
Guide Book's for Amateurs 
Guide to Selecting Plays 
Hints on Costumes 
Home Plavs for Ladles 
Irish Plays 
Irving's Plays 
Juvenile Plays 
Make-Up Book 
Make-Up Box 
Mock Trial 

Mrs. .Tarley's Wax Work* 
New PUys 



New Recitation Books 

Nigger J.)kes and Stump Speeches 

Parlor Magic 

Parlor Pantomimes 

Pieces of Pleasantry 

Poems for Recitations 

Plays for Male Characters only 

Round Games 

Scenery 

Scriptural and Historical Dramas 

Sensation Dramas 

Serio-Comic Dramas 

Shadow Pantomimes 

Shakespeare's Plays for Amateur* 

Shakespeare's Plays 

Stanley's Dwarfs 

Spirit Gum 

Tableaux Vivants 

Talma Actor's Art 

Temperance Plays 

Vocal Music of Sbakegpemre'a Plajs 

Webster's Acting Edition 

Wigs, etc. 



(French's Minor Drama Continue J from 4th page of Cover.) 



VOL. XLI. I VOL. XLTI. 

321 Adventures of a LoTe|329 As Like ai Two Peas 



S22 1 est Child [Lettei 

323 Court Cards 

824 Coi and Box 

825 Fortv Winks 

326 Wonderful Woman / 

397 Curious Case 

328 Tweedleton't Tail Coat 



330 Presumptive Evid< 

331 Happv Band 
|332 Pinafore 

333 Mock Trial 

33<My Uncle's Will 
|335 Happv Pair 
I336 My Turn Next 



VOL. XLin. 

337 .Sunset 

338 For Haifa Million 

339 Cnble Car 
:J40 Early Bird 
Ml Alumni Play 
■M-! Show of Hands 
; 43 Barbara 

■^i*. Who's Who 



VOL. XLIV. 
;«5 Who's To Win Hin 
346 Which i. Which 
:!47 Cup of Tea 
3«>l Sarah's Young Mam 

349 Hearts 

350 In Honor Bound [L«» 

351 Freeiing a Mother-in 

352 My Lord in Livery 



SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d St;, New York City. 



New and Explicit Descriptive Cataloi^ue Mailed Free on Request. 



FRENCH'S MINOR DRAMA. 



Price 15 Onts each.— Bound Volumes SI. 25. 



VOL. t. 
I Tk« Irl»h Atlomey 
i n<H>'4 nt the SwKK 

3 Ho .» lo r»y the R«nt 

4 Th r Lnan of > Lover 
6 Tht Pend .Shot 

( Mil Lilt Lon 

TL« Invljible Prlnc« 
i Tb« l^ol.len Farmer 

VOL. IL 
I Pride of iht! Mirhet 



19 The Usrrack Knom 

13 Luke the Laliorer 

M Uenut) and the Beait 

in St. Patrick'! live 

16 Captain «f the Watch 

VOL. lU. 
n The Secret [peri 

18 White Hone of the Pep- 
ig The Jacobite 
:« The Mottle 
51 Box and Cox 
55 Bamhootliiig 
53 WIdow'e Victim 
34 Robert M»c»lre 

VOL. IV. 
96 Secret Service 
n Omnibus 

57 Irlth Ll>n 

58 Maid of Croiwy 
5» The Old Ouard 

30 lUiiinf; the Wind 

31 Slanh«r and Craihar 
39 Naval Engagements 

VOL. V. 
83 CocVnlei in Califoml* 
34 Who Speaks First 

36 Bomha?te« Furioto 
38 Macbeth Travestle 

37 Iriih Awbaisador 

38 OeliiAte Ground 

39 The Weathercock [Gold 

40 All that Ulitteri li Not 

VOL. VI. 

41 Grimihair, Bagihaw and 

Bradshaw 
4^ Rough Diamond 

49 Bloomer Costume 
44 TV..T Bonnycastlei 
46 Bom to Good Luck 

46 Kin in the Dark [jnrer 

47 >T«rould Puiiie » Coa- 

48 Kill or Cure 

VOL. vir. 
4t Box and Cox Married and 

50 St. Cupid [Settled 

51 Go-to-hed Tom 
62 The Lawveri 
53 Jack Sheppard 

64 The Toodles 

66 The Mobcap 
5( Ladies Beware 

VOL. vm. 

67 Morning Call 

68 Popping the QuestloK 

69 Deaf Its a Post 
«0 New Footman 

61 Plensanl Neighbor 

65 Vad.lv the Piper 
R3 Brian O'Linn 

44 Irish Assurance 

VOL. IX 

45 Ter ptntion 
«» Paddv Carey 
47 Two Gregorles 
tn King Charming 

49 P.>.cH'hon-ta8 

70 Clockniaker's Hat 

71 Married Rake 

79 Love and Murder 
VOL. X. 

73 In^land and America 

74 Pretty Piece of Dusloesi 

75 Irish "Broom-maker 

74 To Paris and Back for 

Five Pounds 
77 That Blessed Baby 

75 Our Qal 
W Swiss Cottage 
10 Ifvang Widow 



id the FVtl 

Irlu 

Wife ^ 



[ties 



VOL. 

81 O'Klannigu 

82 Irish Post 

83 My Nelglib. 

84 Irish Tiger 

85 P. P., or Man and Tiger 

86 To Oblige Benson 

87 state SecreU 

88 Irish Yankee 

VOL. XH. 

89 A Ijood Fellow 

90 Cherry and Fair SUr 

91 Gale Breeiely 

92 Our Jemimy 

93 Miller'^ Maid 

94 Awkward Arrival 

95 Cro.ssiTig the Line 

96 Conjugal Lesson 

VOL. XIII. 

97 My Wife's Mirror 

98 Life in New Vork 

99 Middy Ashore 

100 Crowij Prince 

101 Two Queens 

102 Thumping Legacy 

103 Unfinished (.Mutleman 
UI4 llomi. Dog 

VOL. XIV. 

105 The Demon Lover 

106 Matrimony 

107 In and Out of Place 

108 I Dine with My Mother 

109 Hi-A-watha 

110 Andy Blake 

111 I^ve ia '76 
119 Romance under Di 

VOL. XV. 

113 One Coat for •.' Suits 

114 A Decided Case 

115 Daughter [noritv 

116 No; or, the Glorious Mi- 

117 Coroner's Inquisition 

118 Love in Humble Life 

119 Family Jars 

120 Personation 
VOL. XVI. 

121 Children in the Wood 

122 Winning a Husband 

123 Day After the Fair 

124 Ma'ke Your Wills 

125 Rendeivous 

126 My Wife's Husband 

127 Monsieur Tons^m 
123 Illustrious Stranger 

VOL. XVII. 

129 Mischief-Making [Mines 

130 A Live Womap in the 
il The Corsair 

132Shylock 

133 Spoiled Child 

'34 Evil Eye 

136 Nothing to Nurse 

136 Wanted a Widow 
VOL. XVIII. 

137 Lottery Ticket 

138 Fortune's Frolic 
Jealous! 

140 Married Bachelor 

141 Husband nt Sight 
14'i Irishman in London 

143 Aiii'nat M.agnetism 

144 Highways and By-Ways 
VOL. XIX. 

145 Columbus 

146 Harlequin Bluebeard 

147 Ladies at Home 

148 Phenomenon In a Smock 
Frock 

149 Comedy and Tragedy 
'50 Opposite Neighbors 

51 Dutchman's Ghost 

152 I'ersei-uted Dutchman 
VOL. XX. 

153 Mueard Ball 

l.U Great Tragic Revival 
155 High Low Jack A (Same 
l.'.e A Gentleman from Ire- 
167 Tom and Jerry [1: 

158 Village Lawyer 

159 Captain's not A-mIss 

160 Amateurs and Actors 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



161 rronuil 

162 A Fas 
IBS Mrs. Ci 
164 Shakes) 

l»,'i NeptUTi 

lf.6 Lady ol 
'. rt7 Take 
ln8 Irish W 

vol 

li>9 Yankee 

170 Hiram Imeouv 

171 Double-Bedded Room 

172 The Drama Defended 

173 Vermont Wool Dealei 

174 Kbenejer Venture [ter 254 Dreams of Del 

175 Principles from Charac-, 255 The Shaker L 

176 Ladv of the Lake (Trav)l256 Ticklish Ti 



014 676 223 2 • 



2')l A Lucky Hit 
252 The Dowager 
'2.=>3 Metamora (Burle 



Vol. XXUi 

177 Mad Dogs 

178 B;.mey tlie Baron 

179 Swiss Swains 

180 Bachelor's Bedroom 

181 A Roland for an Oliver 

182 Mure Blunders than One 

183 Dumb Belle 
IM Limerick boy 

VOL. XJCIV. 

185 Nature and Philosophy 

186 Teddy the Tiler 

187 Spectre Bridegroom 

188 NIatteo Falcone 

189 Jenny Lind 

190 Two Buziards 

191 Happy Man 

192 BeUv Raker 

Vol. XXV. 

193 No. I Round the Corner 

194 Teddy Roe 

195 Object of Interest 
116 My Fellow Clerk 
197 Bengal Tiger 
1«8 Laughing Ilvena 

199 The Victor Vanquished 

200 Our Wife 

VOL. XXVI. 

201 Mv Hii.sband'3 Mirror 

202 Yankee Land 

203 Norah Creina 

204 Good for Nothing 

205 The First Night 

206 The Eton Boy 

207 Wandering Minstrel 

208 Wanted, lOflfl Millinen 
VOL. XXVII. 

209 Poor Pilcoddy 

210 The .Mummy [Glasse' 

21 1 Don't Forget your Open 

212 Love fn Livery 

213 Anthony and Cleopatra 

214 Trving It On 

216 Stage Struck Yankee 

216 Young Wife & Old Um- 

brella 

VOL. xxvni. 

217 Crinoline 

218 A Family Failing 

219 Adopted rhild 

220 Turned Heads 

221 A Match in the Dark 
2'22 Advice lo Husbands 

23 Siamese Twin? 
224 Sent to the Tower 
VOL. XXIX. 

25 Somehnrtv KI« 
2 6 Ladies' H'attle 

227 Art of Acting 

228 The Ladv of the Lion 

229 The Riglits of Man 
2.W Mv Husband's Ghost 

231 Two Can Play at that 

Game 

232 Fighting bv Proxy 

VOL. WX. 
23.-! Unprotected Female 
2.14 Pel of the Pelticoah 

235 Forty and Fifty [book 

236 Who Stole the Pocket- 

237 My Son Diana [slon 
2:« Unwarrantable Intru- 

239 Mr. and Mrs. White 

240 A Quiet Family 



(French's Minor Drama Contintie.t on ^d page of Cover.) 



VOL. XXXIII. 
•57 20 Minutes with a Tiger 

258 Miralda; or, the Justice 

of Tacon 

259 A Soldier's Courtship 

260 Servants by Legacy 

261 Dying for Love 

262 Alarming Sacrifice 

263 Valet de .Shkin 

264 Nicholae Mckleby 

VOL. XXXIV. 

265 The Last of the PigUlIs 

266 King Rene's Daughter 

267 The Grotto Nymph 

268 A Devilish Gr>od Joke 

269 A Twice Told Tale 

270 Pas de Fascination 
•71 Revolutionary Soldier 

272 A Man Without a Head 

VOL. XXXV. 

273 The Olio, Part 1 
574 Tne Olio, Part J 

276 The Olio, Part 3 [ter 

276 The Trumpeter's Daagb- 

277 Seeing Warren 

278 Green M.aiDtain Bov 

279 That Nose 

280 Turn Noddy's Se mi 

VOL. XXXVL 
•Ml Shocking Evente 
•282 A Regular Fix 
583 Dick Turpin 
384 Young Sc-imp 
•/8S Young Actress ' 
286 Call Bt No. 1—7 
'217 One Touch of Nature 

288 Two B'hoye 

VOL. xxy.vii. 

289 All the World's a Stage 
•.'90 Quash, or Nigger prac- 
'.'91 Turn Him Out [tice 
•292 Pretty Girls of Stillberg 

293 Angel of the Attic 

294 CirrumstanresatterCasea 
•295 Katty O'.Sheal 

■.>»6 A Supper in Dixie 
VOL. XXXVHI. 
•297 Ici on Parle Francjsis 

298 Who Killed Cock RoMn 

299 Declaration of Independ- 

300 Heads or Tails [ence 

301 Obstinate Family 
.102 Mv Aunt 

303 That Rascal Pat 
<04 Don Paddy de Baian 

VOL. XXXIX. [lure 
305 Too Much for Good N»- 
3I>8 Cure for the FidgeU 

307 Jack's the Ijld 

308 Much Ado AhoutNoth' 

309 Artful Dodger 

310 Winning Haiard 

311 Day's Fishing ' 

312 Did you ever scud 5 
VOL. XL. 

313 An Irishman's Man- 

314 Cousin Fannie 

315 'Tis the Darkest Ho 

316 Masquerade (fore I 
:tl7 Crowding (he Sens. 

318 Good Night's Rest 

319 Man with the Carp 

320 Terrible Tinker 



SAMUEL FRENCH, ao West aad Street, New York City. 

New aad Explicit Descript've Qatalog-ue Mailed Free on Request. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 676 223 2 



